The Professionalization of Public Administration in Romania

• Main Author: Mihaela V. Cărăuşan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Danubius University 2012-09-01
• Series: Acta Universitatis Danubius: Administratio
• Subjects: human resources; motivation; professional qualification; career axis.
• Online Access: http://journals.univ-danubius.ro/index.php/administratio/article/view/1503/1256

The general configuration of the state and its responsibilities has changed and this has introduced important modifications both in the policy arena and in the State’s requirements for high-level skills, qualitatively and quantitatively. Even if Romanian public administration is mainly seen as bureaucratic, oversized and unable to attract the best trained civil servants, the issue of the professionalization of its human resources has never been brought to the fore. Moreover, public functions are not included in the category of the most desired ones the vast majority of people try to obtain such a job, considering that it provides stability. Turnaround professional qualification indicates the rate of experience, knowledge, and integrity necessary to conduct renewal work. Unfortunately, formal barriers hindering the promotion (e.g. waiting time, professional seniority) and limited development opportunities (flat management structures, lack of visible career paths, inadequate information on vacancies) have a negative impact on the degree of motivation and commitment at work, and of course they adversely affect service quality. In this regard we undertake a study among students and graduates of schools of public administration in Romania, Bucharest, from which we determine the worst and the best 10 jobs you can get today in public administration. Moreover, we will seek to find out which is their motivation to have an education in administrative sciences. Also, we focus our attention on those employed in public institutions to pursue their professional route and their professional qualification. Once established, we will endeavour to create the axis of professional career in public administration. This research will hold a discussion on professional qualification, articulated with the unemployment caused by the present crisis. It will aim to demonstrate the consolidation of the professional (dis)qualification as a tool. We will see that professional qualification in public administration involves several factors which are interconnected in one and the same process, such as politics, motivation and quality of life.