Policy Leadership in Council-Manager Cities: Comparing Mayor and Manager

Professional versus Political Contexts: Institutional Mitigation and the Transaction Cost Heuristic in Information Systems Outsourcing

“…The institutionalization of mayor-council and councilmanager city government forms has been imperfect, however, with the traditional mayor-council structure being completely abandoned in some cases and only partially deinstitutionalized in others (Frederickson et al 2004 Morgan andWatson 1992;Protasel 1988). Consequently, the norms associated with the two different governmental forms map imperfectly to cognition and regulatory practices (Frederickson et al 2004).…”

The Policy Role of City Managers: An Empirical Analysis of Cooperative Relationship in Policy Process between City Managers and Elected officials

“…Table 1 clearly indicates the changing and expanding role of the city manager. Research has also shown that the expansion of the city manager's role also changed the role of elected officials such as councils and mayors (Boynton and Wright, 1971;Morgan and Watson, 1992;Selden, Brewer and Brudney, 1999;Svara 1985;1999a;2001). In other words, the role of the city manager cannot be explained by the orthodox policy-administration dichotomy.…”

“…Similarly, city managers were considered as technicians or general managers (Boynton and Wright, 1971). However, according to the literature concerning city managers (Wright, 1969;Wikstrom, 1979;Newell and Ammons, 1987;Morgan and Watson, 1992;Selden, Brewer and Brudney, 1999;Golembiewski and Gabris, 1994;Svara, 1999a;1999b), the roles and leadership of city managers are not limited to only management.…”

City Management in the United States and Norway: A Comparative Analysis of Professional Orientations

“…In a political role, city managers implement legislative policy approved by the city council. An expanded policy presence likewise involves an extent of administrative discretion in policy application and providing complementary direction and recommendations to the council concerning particular policy priorities, options, and/or alternatives (Morgan & Watson, 1992); however, within the political realm, managers typically avoid partisan debates and affiliations.…”