Jeffrey Alexander Martin

Outline the different state models of decentralisation and evaluate their role in facilitating democratic local governance. There is a dynamic interplay between, in, and through different levels of governance and the powers that they wield and exert. In this paper we will look at three models of decentralization, including the benefits and dangers. The local municipality of Dalton Township, Michigan, USA will be used as a centering perspective for concepts in application. In seeking democratic local governance through decentralization it should be noted that there is no universally accepted definition of democracy. It is a fuzzy concept that means rule of the people, in some way. In a general sense it seems that most people use it to acknowledge having elections of representatives, and certain rights that are associated with that general system of governance. (Hague, Harrop, McCormick, 2016, pg 38) Decentralization can be defined as "...the transfer of authority, responsibility, a

Discuss the three different types of interviews and when they would be used: Structured, Semi-structured, Unstructured. Interviews are a powerful and useful method of research. They can be the focus of research or done in conjunction with surveys or participatory action. Different types of interviews will be appropriate in different contexts. We will look at three types of interviews: structured, semi-structured, and unstructured. We will use examples from a potential MSc dissertation project. Interviews are often associated with case studies and utilized to go more in-depth than a wider survey collection, and are often associated with more complex topics. This allows for research about: opinions, feelings, emotions, experiences, sensitive issues, and privileged information. In pursuing interviews it's important to consider if access will be available to those needed to be interviewed, and the budget, time, and logistic constraints of doing the interviews themselves. (Denscombe, 20

Explain the following using examples: Ordinal scales, Preference scales, Nominal scales, Binary scales. There are multiple different ways, means, and methods both for the collection and analysis of quantitative data for research purposes. In this paper we will look at four of these: ordinal scales, preference scales, nominal scales, and binary scales. We will use examples for potential application in a MSc dissertation. Nominal data is counting and placing data into categories. (Denscombe, 2010, pg 243) Considering a potential dissertation focused on analyzing the factors of motivation, feelings of meaning, and expectations of deception from the perspective of people holding local elected offices in Muskegon County, Michigan, this could include a list of their positions. The levels of government considered would be: four villages, seven cities, 16 townships, and one county. The potential positions would be: village trustee, village president, village clerk, village treasurer, city trus

Using examples, explain when the following would be used in research: Cross sectional study, Case study, Participatory Action Research. Different types of studies are appropriate in differing contexts. This paper will look at three such types of studies: cross sectional studies, case studies, and participatory action research. Each will be considered in reference to a potential dissertation research project, and the context within which each method would have utility. Cross sectional studies are a snapshot in time across a selection of people. These can be compared to case-control studies which are selected for outcome, or cohort studies which are selected for exposure. Cross sectional studies can be used as an initial point from which to plan a more advanced study across time. (Setia, 2016; Wang and Cheng, 2020) My initial proposal for my MSc dissertation was a cross sectional study. There are two strong logistical reasons that support this, low cost and a quick turnaround. The idea i

What steps would you recommend be taken to ensure performance management systems succeed in ensuring strategic goals are achieved, and avoid the danger of unintentionally undermining them? Use examples to illustrate your answer. The creation of policy is only one aspect of achievement, seeing that something gets done with that policy is the actual desired result. To do this, performance management systems are put in place. It's also important to make sure that it doesn't undermine the desired results. While going through what a useful performance management system can look like we'll draw from examples in the local municipal government of Dalton Township, MI, USA, and a business in the nearby area. Some years ago I stocked groceries. I was also an inventory analyst. As part of the performance management system, a stocker would load up a cart to take out to the aisles. They scan in the number of boxes on the cart. After stocking they dispose of the empty boxes, pull the over

Does Cairney’s model of complexity theory in public policy provide a useful means for strategists to pursue their goals? Discuss with reference to one or more specific policy areas known to you. The world is overwhelmingly complex. To deal with this we use frameworks and other methods to compare and contrast things in an effort to make decisions and take action. In this paper we are going to look at Paul Cairney's concepts about modeling complexity theory for use in organizational strategy and whether this perspective is useful, with specific referents pulled from experiences in the local government of Dalton Township, Michigan, USA. The complexity of problems, methods, and solutions is noted in almost all books on government and policy, "...change anywhere can result in unpredictable results elsewhere as the behavior of complex systems often demonstrates a sensitive and unpredictable dependence on initial conditions." (Bryson, 2018, pg 149) The simplifications used in th

The rational model of the strategic public policy cycle has been criticised as overly linear, reductive and taking insufficient account of pre-existing policy and practice. Why do you think in many cases it continues to dominate strategic planning in practice? The rational model of strategic public policy planning is pervasive in governmental operations. Yet, it seems to often be separated from the reality of the execution of the operations. This paper will compare rational planning to other models and inquire into the gap between theory and practice using the local municipality Dalton Township in Michigan, USA as a practical reference. Actions and events occur through time, therefore it is reasonable to think of a process as occurring in a series of steps. For instance, five: initiation; formulation; implementation; evaluation; review. (Hague, Harrop, McCormick, 2016, pg 330) Or, it can be ten: define mission statement; formulate strategic goals; stakeholder analysis; situational anal

Management and leadership are often seen as different skills. Mintzberg (1979), who writes on effective management styles, did not differentiate between the two. You are required to discuss Mintzberg’s effective management roles and conclude on whether there is a difference between leadership and management. Leadership and management are difficult terms to delineate in that they are often used with slight variations in similar fashions. In this paper we will look at some definitions of the two terms, specifically use Henry Mintzberg's framework of management roles as seen in application with the small municipality of Dalton Township in Michigan, USA, and offer a view on the demarcation between leadership and management. Manage can be defined as "to be responsible for controlling or organizing someone or something, especially a business or employees," while lead can be defined as "to control a group of people, a country, or a situation." (Cambridge Dictionary, 20

Organisational politics can influence others. Discuss Morgan’s modes of political rule in organisations concluding whether politics is a good or a bad thing. Gareth Morgan's work in organizational theory has been noteworthy in the last few decades and heavily influenced the field in both theory and practice. This paper will examine his views on political rule in organizations, using his framework of metaphorical perspective, and the local Michigan, USA municipality of Dalton Township as a practical and applied example. And, we will answer whether politics is good or bad. Politics can be defined as "the relationships within a group or organization that allow particular people to have power over others." Therefore, the focal concept is power in relationships. Power can be defined as the "ability to control people and events." (Cambridge Dictionary, 2022) This is similar to Morgan in that "Power is the medium through which conflicts of interest are ultimately

Incremental, strategic and transformational change are all typologies of change in the public sector. Critically compare and contrast these typologies of change supporting your work with suitable illustrations. Types of organizational change can be classified in different ways. In this article we will look at seven different classification types. In support of these theoretical classifications practical and demonstrative examples will be given with reference to Dalton Township, a local municipality located in Michigan, USA. Each of these seven typologies are more similar than different in that each deals with the same subject matter, change. "Organizational change is the adoption of new behavior by people in organizations, where behavior means the new learning required to perform differently and adjust to a change in the environment." (Pullen, 1993) The seven types of change we are looking at are: smooth incremental change, bumpy incremental change, strategic change, transfor

Power and authority are related and interactive concepts, but they can also be differentiated.The best way to explore this topic is to first go through definitions and historical examples from politics and business. Then to dive more extensively into how these concepts apply to the role of a change agent in a local municipality. The complex interrelationship of power and authority is demonstrated well by the life and career of Eleanor Roosevelt. Becoming prominent as the wife of U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt, she had no official authority. Yet, she wielded a great deal of power both during and after her husband's life. Power is a person's ability to influence another's behavior because of dependency. Dependency is the need to rely on another for something. (Judge, et al, 2016, pg. 368) While Eleanor wielded no formal power within an organizational structure with the ability to reward or punish others, she developed personal power through public speaking and popular writ