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Images: Public and Self
Author(s) -
Mannion John B.
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal ‐ american water works association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.466
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1551-8833
pISSN - 0003-150X
DOI - 10.1002/j.1551-8833.1990.tb07027.x
Subject(s) - public service , service (business) , business , public relations , profit (economics) , product (mathematics) , marketing , economics , political science , mathematics , geometry , microeconomics
The best way to ensure that our public image is correct is to ensure that our self‐image is correct. First consider the language used: we have followed the popular trend of referring to public water service as an industry. The word industry carries connotations, including the notion of large, impersonal, profit‐oriented enterprises. If we are not motivated by the notion of public service, then indeed we have become just another industry with another product to sell. The difference between a public service and any given industry is important one to preserve in the minds of the people. It is in our best interest to reinforce in the public mind that water service is a public service, carried out by professionals who are keenly aware of the public trust vested in them.