Understanding Professional Associations as a Mechanism to Inter-Governmental Collaboration

Abstract

To date, there is limited empirical research in public management literature exploring the consequences of professional associations and their impacts on inter-governmental relationships. Drawing on network perspectives and recent managerial networking literature, this study aims to bridge the gap of literature in professional associations by examining the case of Los Angeles County Management Council (LACMC) and how informal networking facilitates inter-governmental collaboration in local governments. Results from the analysis highlight the role of informal networking through professional associations in building relational comfort, promoting social learning, building a global perspective, promoting system awareness, establishing professional contacts, and providing open opportunities and serendipities, which are perceived to lead to improved inter-governmental collaboration. These findings point to the importance to further understand the distinctiveness of informal networking and the role of professional associations in public administration.