Beyond the MBA: Managing Organizational Publicness for Strategic and Social Success

For decades, business schools have taught that the keys to organizational success are efficiency, profitability, and competitive advantage. But in today’s complex world, leaders are discovering that these classic lessons, while important, are no longer enough. The central challenge facing organizations—public, private, and hybrid alike—is how to balance the drive for results with the responsibility to serve broader societal values. This is where the management of organizational publicness comes into play, offering a practical and strategic complement to the traditional business toolkit.

The problem is clear and pressing. When organizations focus solely on financial metrics or narrow performance targets, they risk losing sight of their larger purpose. The result can be a culture of short-termism, where employees feel disengaged, stakeholders lose trust, and society pays the price.

Research by Bevan and Hood (2006) on the English healthcare system exposed the dangers of “target and terror” management, where the relentless pursuit of measured outcomes led to gaming, demotivation, and a decline in real service quality. Their findings serve as a cautionary tale for any organization that confuses hitting the numbers with creating true value.

Yet, there is another way. Over the past two decades, scholars such as Mark Moore, Barry Bozeman, Torben Beck Jørgensen, and Eriko Fukumoto have developed a robust theory and practice of public values management. Their work shows that organizations can—and should—identify, prioritize, and actively manage public values such as equity, transparency, accountability, human dignity, sustainability, and social cohesion. These values are not just ethical aspirations; they are strategic assets that drive engagement, innovation, and long-term success.

Integrating research-based knowledge about public values and organizational publicness offers a powerful pathway for driving positive, strategic, and inspiring change within organizations. Leading academic studies demonstrate that public values can be systematically identified, measured, and managed as strategic assets. By leveraging frameworks like public value mapping, employee engagement surveys, and stakeholder dialogue, leaders are empowered to diagnose their organization’s current state, clarify their core values, and design actionable strategies that align organizational goals with societal needs.

Practical examples abound. In one study, Bozeman (2007) demonstrated how public values can be mapped and measured within organizations, helping leaders make informed decisions about trade-offs and priorities. Jørgensen and Bozeman (2007) classified a broad inventory of public values, showing how organizations can tailor their strategies to fit their unique context and mission. Meanwhile, Moore’s (1995) concept of “creating public value” has inspired public managers around the world to design services and policies that benefit not just individual clients, but society as a whole.

The power of managing publicness is not limited to the public sector. Consider a global technology firm that embeds values like privacy, inclusivity, and environmental stewardship into its product development process. By doing so, it not only reduces risk and regulatory exposure, but also builds trust with customers and attracts top talent. Or think of a healthcare provider that invests in patient dignity and staff well-being, resulting in higher satisfaction, better outcomes, and a stronger reputation in the community. These are not isolated cases—they are part of a growing movement toward balanced, values-driven management. Such organiztions become magnets for talent and trusted partners in their communities. Most importantly, they contribute to the common good—helping to build a more just, inclusive, and sustainable society.

True leadership today extends "Beyond the MBA," demanding a profound understanding of how organizations engage with the world. PublicWise introduces "Organizational Publicness" – a vital strategic framework that transcends conventional business thinking to unlock unparalleled success. We guide leaders in seamlessly integrating purpose, transparency, and accountability into their core strategy, enabling them to build authentic trust, elevate influence, and drive both profitability and profound social impact. Leveraging our deep expertise, authentic dialogue, and proven methodologies, we empower you to lead an organization that truly matters, connecting your legacy with a greater good.

At PublicWise, we believe that managing publicness is the missing piece in the puzzle of modern organizational strategy. Our expertise bridges the gap between academic insight and real-world results. We work with leaders to clarify their values, assess their current practices, and design actionable strategies that deliver both performance and purpose. Whether you are a CEO seeking to future-proof your business, a manager facing complex stakeholder demands, or a leader striving for greater impact, we can help you turn public values into strategic advantage.

Integrating academic knowledge and practical tools is not just a theoretical exercise—it is a proven method for inspiring teams, building trust, and creating sustainable impact. PublicWise specializes in translating this knowledge into tailored, end-to-end solutions that deliver measurable results and foster a culture of purpose-driven excellence.

The future of management is balanced, values-driven, and public-spirited. If you are ready to move beyond the limits of traditional business thinking and unlock the full potential of your organization, let’s start the journey together.

Let PublicWise show you how managing organizational publicness can transform your strategy—and your impact on the world.

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References

Bevan, G., & Hood, C. (2006). What’s measured is what matters: Targets and gaming in the English public health care system. Public Administration, 84(3), 517–538.

Bozeman, B. (2007). Public values and public interest: Counterbalancing economic individualism. Georgetown University Press.

Jørgensen, T. B., & Bozeman, B. (2007). Public values: An inventory. Administration & Society, 39(3), 354–381.

Moore, M. H. (1995). Creating public value: Strategic management in government. Harvard University Press.

Author Biography

Dr. Yinnon Dryzin-Amit is an expert in organizational and leadership development, driven by a profound passion for fostering thriving, resilient organizations and a deep sensitivity to human needs. He is renowned for translating cutting-edge behavioral science research into practical, strategic solutions across diverse sectors. As the founder of PublicWise, an innovative consultancy, he is dedicated to enhancing organizational performance and legitimacy through evidence-based frameworks, with a particular focus on the unique dynamics of "Organizational Publicness."

Previously, Dr. Dryzin-Amit served as Deputy Director General for Organizational Development in the Israeli Judiciary, where he spearheaded systemic change initiatives, cultivated organizational resilience, and designed strategic leadership development programs for judges and administrative staff. His extensive experience also includes significant contributions to the healthcare sector (Clalit Health Services) and defense establishment (IDF's Behavioral Sciences branch), where he consulted on organizational and management development, employee engagement, and process improvement. He currently shares his expertise as an Adjacent Lecturer at the University of Haifa, teaching in both the School of Public Administration & Policy and the Department of Sociology.

His research spans management, innovation, and the ecology of resilience in complex systems, reflecting his commitment to actionable insights. His publications include "Unveiling the Spirit of Publicness: Conceptualization and Validation of a Publicness Perceptions Scale" (Dryzin-Amit, Vashdi, & Vigoda-Gadot, 2024), "The Publicness Enigma: Can Perceived Publicness Predict Employees’ Formal and Prosocial Behavior Across Sectors?" (Dryzin-Amit, Vashdi, & Vigoda-Gadot, 2022), and "Beyond Individual Grit: A Multi-Level Framework for Systemic Judicial Resilience" (forthcoming, Dryzin-Amit, 2025).