Responding to the challenge of '1992' in the public sector

It is widely recognized that organizations, both in the public and private sectors, are subject to a wide range of changes in their external environment which often necessitate changes either in organizational structure or in management practice. The range of factors which can have these effects are many and varied. They can include changes in the international business environment, technical innovations, legislation, political developments and social changes. The completion of the internal market in 1992 will be a source of fundamental change. This article considers the response of one public sector body to the challenges presented by the advent of 1992 by focusing on the experience of Northern Ireland's largest Government Department -- the Department of the Environment (DoE (NI)) in responding to the revised procedures for obtaining financial assistance from the European Community for regional development measures. The managerial response to the reform of the European Community's Structural Funds is outlined along with a brief discussion of its potential application for public sector bodies in general.