One of the most significant developments in public administration over the last several decades has been the privatization of public services. In the United States and some other countries, much of this privatizing has taken the form of outsourcing or contracting out. These developments have important implications for human resource management.

For this Discussion, review this week’s Resources. Review “The Case of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission” as presented in the article by Coggburn. Consider the advantages and disadvantages of privatization and outsourcing. Think about the impact of privatization and outsourcing on government and non-profit organizations.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief Discussion of the outsourcing issues that arose in the “The Case of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission,” as presented in the article by Coggburn.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Discussion 2: Human Resource Management in Privatization and Outsourcing

The outsourcing at the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) provides examples of what decision makers need to address when considering human resources outsourcing. Building on your response to Discussion 1, in this Discussion 2 you will describe the impact of outsourcing on human resource management functions in a government organization.

For this Discussion, review this week’s Resources. Review the articles by Bradbury & Waechter, Battaglio, Coggburn, Clemmitt, and Yang et al. Consider what other factors human resources must evaluate when considering privatization and outsourcing. Think about the challenges of privatization and outsourcing.

With these thoughts in mind:

Post a brief explanation of how you as a human resource manager might have handled the issue from Discussion 1. Explain how privatization or outsourcing could be used in your organization. Briefly discuss the challenges of privatization and outsourcing.

Be sure to support your postings and responses with specific references to the resources.

Readings

• Battaglio, R. P. (2009). Privatization and its challenges for human resource management in the public sector: Symposium introduction. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 29(3), 203–206.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Battaglio, R. P., & Legge, J. S. (2009). Self-interest, ideological/symbolic politics, and citizen characteristics: A cross-national analysis of support for privatization. Public Administration Review, 69(4), 697–700.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Bradbury, M. D., & Waechter, G. D. (2009). Extreme outsourcing in local government: At the top and all but the top. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 29(3), 230–248.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Coggburn, J. D. (2007). Outsourcing human resources: The case of the Texas Health and Human Services Commission. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 27(4), 315–335.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Clemmitt, M. (2012). Privatizing the military. CQ Researcher, 22(25), 597–620.
  Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.
• Yang, K., Hsieh, J. Y., & Li, T. S. (2009).Contracting capacity and perceived contracting performance: Nonlinear effects and the role of time. Public Administrative Review, 69(4), 681–696.