BEHAVIORAL PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION: BRIDGING PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

Abstract

Public management is, by nature, multidisciplinary, but the integration of psychological ideas and approaches has remained limited and sporadic. This study addresses the need for a unified framework that incorporates psychological insights into public administration research and its applications. Using a conceptual research approach, the study synthesis systematic literature from political science, behavioral economics, and psychology to provide a disciplined framework for Behavioral Public Administration (BPA). No original data were gathered; instead, the study examines previously published material to identify trends in behavior and gaps in existing administrative studies. Four basic ideas define BPA: (1) its broad applicability across administrative domains; (2) the relevance of methodological rigout through experimental designs; (3) a reciprocal exchange between public administration and psychology; and (4) the practical value of behavioral insights in improving governance outcomes. These ideas form the foundation of a conceptual model that connects psychological theory to policy efficacy and administrative conduct. A promising area that clarifies administrative behavior is behavioral public administration. Future studies will enhance methodological tools, experimentally evaluate the framework, and foster multidisciplinary cooperation between public administration and psychology.