Overcoming neutrality as an organizational learning impediment

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Sweeting, Karen D.; Haupt, Brittany Brie
• 署名单位: University of Rhode Island; Virginia Commonwealth University; University of Rhode Island
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13641
• 发表日期: 2024
• 页码: 143-154
• 关键词: cultural competence; emergency management; social equity; education; racism

摘要

This article addresses the negative implications of neutrality in bureaucratic systems and public service. Neutrality employs a sameness approach that reinforces impartiality, invisibility, and indifference, resulting in what we term discriminatory blindness. After a brief illustrative review of neutrality in public service, we critique neutrality as an organizational impediment based on its veiled negative implications and disparate outcomes that fail to center the human experience and treat people based on how they are situated to ensure equity in outcomes. We propose a framework to forge ahead with eight actionable types of initiatives and learning constructs to raise the consciousness of public practitioners. We conclude with an action-oriented and learning-focused approach.