City Managers Under Fire: How Conflict Leads to Turnover

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Ruth H. DeHoog, Professor and Director of the MPA Program (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/

Abstract: To evaluate the influence of turnover among city management professionals, data were gathered and analyzed in a study that followed the careers of 133 city managers in Florida since 1986. In contrast to previous studies, conflict was found to be a frequent cause of turnover among those city managers who left their positions during the study period. The type of conflict involved made a difference. Situations involving policy or style disagreements between a manager and the city council were more likely to cause turnover than conflictual conditions emerging from disagreement among council factions. However, other factors, such as electoral changes in council composition and opposition by a popularly elected mayor, were found meaningful. More concern for conflict and conflict-management skills among city management professionals and educators may help solve areas of conflict.

Additional Information

Publication
Public Administration Review 51 (March/April, 1991): 156-165
Language: English
Date: 1991
Keywords
City managers, Turnover, City council

Email this document to