The document outlines several key functions of government: (1) Providing goods and services like infrastructure, national defense, and welfare payments; (2) Regulating industries and enforcing laws to maintain order and stability; and (3) Ensuring access to essential goods and services and protecting natural resources for all citizens. Effective government also provides subsidies to encourage private sector participation and produces some goods and services. Key roles include maintaining economic infrastructure, resolving conflicts, and stabilizing the economy during times of change. High performing public services focus on customers, quality, trust, and involving citizens.

1. Functions of
Government
(corporate governance)
PSCM Lecture 11

2. • (a) Provisions of goods and services [roads,
defence & welfare payments]
• (b) Provision of subsidy to encourage private
sector to provide desired goods & services
[farm subsidies]
• (c) Production of goods and services for sale,
on user pays principle [electricity & water
services]
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3. • (d) Makes Regulation
– Govt and its organization have coercive power
to enforce compliance with the laws [police
services which are supported by the judicial
system]
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4. Functions only Government
carry out
• (Hughes, 1998: 336-37)
• (a) Providing economic infrastructure [protection of
property rights, enforcement of contracts, provision of
currency, maintenance of law and order]
• (b) Provision of various collective goods & services such
as national defence, roads, bridges, flood control,
sewage disposal, traffic control systems. Services
divided into 4 categories:
– Utilities
– Communication
– Transportation
– Land development
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5. • (c)The resolution & adjustment of group
conflicts in pursuance of justice, order and
stability. Incl., enactment & enforcement of
laws relating to equity, exploitation,
workers’ compensation schemes.
• (d) The maintenance of competition by
regulation of matters such as formation of
cartels & price fixing
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6. • (e) Protection of natural resources,
including conservation of assets (such as a
regulation of forest reserves) & protection
of environment from damage and
pollution.
• (f) Provision of minimum access by
individuals to the goods & services of the
economy. Incls welfare programs to prevent
access to disadvantaged groups (such as
legislation for people with disability)
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7. • (g) Stabilization of the economy through
monetary policy & control over wages and
prices.
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8. • Key role for govts is to ensure their
societies & economies able to meet the
challenges for change
• Need high performance public service
• Govt leaders encourage public service
leaders to adopt value common to high
performing organizations:
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9. • (a) a focus on customers
• (b) quality & productivity
• (c) flexibility and continuous improvement
• (d) trust & integrity
• (e) openness, cooperation and involvement;
and
• (f) personal growth, security and dignity
(see Kempt, 1983:3)
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