The mayor or the people? Indigenous identity and differences in managerial practices

Abstract

This study explores managerial preferences’ variation among mayors due to Indigenous identity. Specifically, we propose Indigenous identity is associated with more outward and collaborative managerial strategies, as well as more within-group collaboration. We test these hypotheses in a 2017 survey data of 43 Indigenous and 34 non-Indigenous sitting mayors, covering 77 Guatemalan municipalities. Findings are mixed. While different preferences in managerial styles exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous mayors, they mismatch our expectations. However, results suggest that the share of Indigenous population is associated with a stronger mayoral outward management orientation and a higher likelihood to collaborate with an Indigenous partner organization.