Some typical bureaucratic behaviours -- Public choice theory -- Public service compesation -- EX position evaluation plan -- Performance measurement of executives -- Executive compensation -- Findings and observations on public service incentives

This paper presents some options to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the Canadian federal public service, which have potential application to other public and private sector bureaucracies. To pursue such opportunities for improvement, this paper explores bureaucratic behaviours and some underlying causes, and proposes some corrective mechanisms. The authors focus on Canadian federal government departments, and find that there are some embedded perverse incentives to increase size, complexity and costs. We suggest some alternatives that could increase efficiency and reduce costs while maintaining external services and results for Canadians (Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, 2003). The approach of examining behaviours, assessing underlying causes and incentives, and developing corrective mechanisms could be applicable more widely than just federal departments.