Political leaders and public administrators: Interaction patterns and pictures in Finnish local government decision-making processes

Abstract

The rapid change of local government operating environment shapes the interaction between political leaders and public administrators, who work in the constant riptide of service responsiveness and economic pressure. We investigate the relationship between political leaders and public administrators in the local administration of social and health services. The patterns and pictures are examined empirically, with data gathered from strategic-level political leaders and public administrators in six Finnish local government organisations. The analysis applies multivariate methods. The results suggest that there are different groups among the political leaders. The differences are not based on political opinions, but rather on the attitudes towards the decision-making process, also the views on local government decision-making processes differ between the groups. The rapid contextual change experienced in the public organisations requires a fast and well-informed response from political leaders and public administrators; even political differences can be pushed aside in this turbulent operating environment.