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Dissertation Information for Virginia A. Walter

NAME:
- Virginia A. Walter
- (Alias) Virginia Walter

DEGREE:
- Ph.D.

DISCIPLINE:
- Public Administration

SCHOOL:
- University of Southern California (USA) (1984)

ADVISORS:
- None

COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
- None

MPACT Status: Incomplete - Not_Inspected

Title: VOLUNTEERS AND BUREAUCRATS: CLARIFYING ROLES FOR THE COPRODUCTION OF PUBLIC SERVICES

Abstract: One of the consequences of the passage of Proposition 13 in California has been an increase in the use of volunteers by public organizations attempting to maintain desired levels of service in the face of budget reductions. Coproduction, the voluntary collaboration of citizens with employees of government agencies for the provision of public services, represents a change in the sociotechnical systems of public organizations. The implications of these changes are addressed in this study.

Purpose. The purpose of this study was to clarify and define the role relationships between employees and volunteers engaged in the coproduction of services at the Los Angeles Public Library.

Procedures. The research methodology was qualitative. Social analysis, a form of action research which utilizes an interview process to clarify and define roles, was the primary research tool.

Findings. Roles for volunteers and employees engaged in collaborative activities were identified. Volunteers acting in service-delivery functions took roles similar to those of regular employees. Volunteers performing fund-raising functions took on policy-making roles. Employees found it in their self-interest to take cues from the situation and to improvise roles which "made sense" out of their relationships with volunteers.

Conclusions. Volunteers can be assimilated into the organizational structure, but they will tend to seek participation in decision making as the price of their involvement. At the middle and lower echelons of Los Angeles Public Library, there is a growing acceptance of the concept of management-by-partnership, accomplishing the organizational mission together with the public. This is a shift from the traditional professional notion of doing things for the public. Coproduction offers benefits to public organizations willing to share power with citizens: (1) It makes available needed resources for accomplishing the organizational mission. (2) It creates dynamic linkages between the organization and its community. (3) It serves as a vehicle for social integration.

MPACT Scores for Virginia A. Walter

A = 6
C = 18
A+C = 24
T = 6
G = 1
W = 6
TD = 6
TA = 0
calculated 2012-07-28 15:10:55

Advisors and Advisees Graph