Researched cases: Authentic scenarios as a way of learning for public administrators

Abstract

The purpose of this chapter is, first, to explore the use of researched case studies as rich source material for facilitating the learning required by both aspiring and practising public administrators. This exploration departs from core philosophical assumptions about public administration as a reality. Second, the appropriateness of a capability approach to dealing with the challenges in public administration is considered. Third, professional enquiry is proposed as a learning strategy for instilling the required capabilities in public administrators, followed, fourth, by exposure to researched case studies as authentic environments in this learning strategy.