New Organisational Solutions in Norwegian Local Councils

Leaving a Puzzling Role for Local Politicians

Bibliographic Data

ID6382004
AuthorsSigny Irene Vabo (0000-0002-6438-175X, corresponding author)
Year2000
Volume23
Issue4
Pages343-372
Publication date2000-12-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueScandinavian Political Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0080-6757 • E-ISSN: 1467-9477
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/1467-9477.00041
OpenAlexW2056174319
LanguageEN
Citations received14
References cited26

Inspired by the concept of New Public Management, recent organisational alterations in Norwegian local councils have aimed to change the role of local politicians from a traditional to a strategic political one. Traditionally, local politicians have been involved in the day‐to‐day activities of the council, and have tended to address single issues and details. Strategic leadership implies, however, a withdrawal from close contact with the service departments and a primary focus on (preferably pivotal) issues of a general and/or principle nature, such as budgeting, goal setting, and planning. In addition, establishment of stronger coordinating bodies is emphasised. Drawing on evidence from a large body of research, it is concluded that so far, for the ordinary local politician, the new role is rather puzzling, that is, confusing and perplexing, thus creating a certain sense of uneasiness. Two theoretical reasons for this state of affairs are presented. First, it is demonstrated that some of the chosen organisational solutions simply cannot be assumed to work as intended. Second, it is argued that the concept of strategic political leadership represents such a challenge to the local politicians’ traditional behaviour that a certain amount of reluctance and prevarication is to be expected. The article concludes with a discussion of why the changes have taken place in several municipalities, despite the demonstrable weaknesses in the basic idea. One suggested reason is the improvements to the working conditions of the political and administrative elite as a result of the changes

Business · Elite · Local government · Norwegian · Political science · Politics · Public relations · Service (business · Work (physics · Law · Nonprofit Sector and Volunteering · Political Systems and Governance · Public Administration · Public Policy and Administration Research

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