Difference Between Public Administration And Business Administration

1. In the class we have discussed the public-private distinction. In your opinion, is public administration essentially the same as business administration or is it different from business administration? What do you think is the most important characteristics of public administration that makes the field the same as or different from business administration?

Public administration and business administration are very similar in more ways than one yet these two disciplines are also very different from one another in other ways. Both public administration and business administration employ management tools and systems to maintain the stability of an organization and facilitate growth. The most obvious and fundamental difference between public administrators and business administrators is the distinction between the public sector and private sector. Those who work in public administration tend to focus on providing services and information to the public whereas those who work in business administration are focused on providing services and goods to …show more content…
The most evident difference between the public and business environment is that one must appeal to the consumer markets (business administration) and the other must appeal to all markets and communities (public administration). Business administration mainly caters to stakeholders in consumer markets where their customers come from and of course the communities and cities, counties, or municipalities in which they operate. However, public administration’s stakeholders come from everywhere and anywhere because governments and public agencies service the public for the “greater good”. Public organizations must appeal and cater to the needs and wants of communities, cities/municipalities in which they operate and this will almost always include multiple business and/or private organizations as well as the general