The impact of alternative styles of policy leadership on the direction of local government reform

Abstract

Purpose

Alongside public agencies and private firms, non‐profit organizations (NPOs) play a vital role in the delivery of human services in a number of advanced nations. The purpose of this paper is to advance a theory of leadership to try to explain how NPOs can overcome the various forms of voluntary sector failure described by Salamon.

Design/methodology/approach

Examines the conditions under which leadership style is likely to prevail and the influence they are likely to have on the direction of local government reform.

Findings

Advances a theory of leadership to better understand this problem and its implications for public policy.

Originality/value

Adds to existing literature by demonstrating that leadership can ameliorate some kinds of voluntary sector failure.

Citation

Wallis, J. and Dollery, B. (2005), "The impact of alternative styles of policy leadership on the direction of local government reform", International Journal of Social Economics, Vol. 32 No. 4, pp. 291-306. https://doi.org/10.1108/03068290510587024