公共行政的研究，長久以來皆以「效率」為主要的論證課題。就公共行政研究的歷史而言，自威爾遜揭示行政分立論開始，迄賽蒙的目標層級論為止，行政學的發展固然現出多元典範的現象，但以「效率」為公共行政研究的權輿，殆無爭議。本文旨在釐清效率的概念，並以比較的觀點，整合理論的歧異。

Efficiency has long been the primary concern in the study of public administration. Suffice to say that most efforts from Wilson to at least Simon were directed toward the pursuit and debate of efficiency. Questions that were raised concerning efficiency are still with us. Indeed. the problems are more knotty. the issues more complex. We have developed other idioms with which to analyze. discuss, and decide; thus "cost-benefit" and "cost-effective". But what are tout­ed as tools that will enable us to solve our problems and resolve our disputes demonstrate in use that -- though they may have a certain usefulness -- they neither cut Gordian knots nor serve as phi1osophe路, stones (Waldo. 1984: Iìì). The purpose of this paper is to clarify the concept of efficiency in public administration through comparison. I begin with Wi1son's perspective. then Gulick. Taylor Dahl. Simon. Waldo followed. Finally, I explore the applicability of business's criteria of efficiency, as they are em­ployed in the public Agencies by making distinction in between.