Civil Service Careers in Small and Large States

The main objective of the book, which is written in english languare, is to analyse the development and structure of civil service careers in small and large states, taking Estonia and the United Kingdom as case studies. Different disciplinary approaches – public administration, management, organisation theory, labour economics, sociology and psychology – are drawn together to develop an integrated approach to civil service careers. A distinction is made between career, job and network systems. The case studies show how civil service reforms in the 1990s have affected careers. The book contributes to the research into careers in small states by applying the individual and institutional career theories developed in large states to a small state context. Differences between larger and smaller countries are shown to be not merely quantitative but also qualitative. Dr. Tiina Randma is Head of the Department of Public Administration and Social Policy at the University of Tartu, Estonia. She has gained working experience from the World Bank, the United Nations and the Cabinet Office. Dr. Randma is also a member of the Advisory Committee to the Estonian Government on Public Administration Reform and Deputy Chair of the Board of the Estonian Institute of Public Administration.