Pormestarimalli kuntajohtamisen muotona
Pormestarimalliin liittyvät tavoitteet, odotukset ja uskomukset
Keywords:
local government, local political leadership, local public management, mayor, mayor modelAbstract
MAYOR MODEL IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT – AIMS, EXPECTATIONS AND BELIEFS
Interest towards the mayor model in local public management has been moderately increasing in Finland in recent years, especially in big cities. This article focusses on the arguments and counterarguments that are used in discussion concerning mayoral governance model in local government. The article produces new knowledge on the aims, expectations and beliefs that are linked to the mayor model. The empirical data of this study consist of Finnish written news media data. The data were analysed through theoretical framework that consists of four topics: the professionality of management, strengthening of political leadership, promoting democracy and the clarity of management. As a result, four pairs of claims were identified to illustrate the beliefs, expectations and aims that are linked to the model. It is thought that the model will strengthen democracy but centralise power. It is believed that political leadership will strengthen through this model, but leadership as a whole will be less professional. Mayor model is seen to be effective in breaking the status quo and the timespan of management is thought to shorten. The relationship between local government and its residents is expected to improve and the relationship between local political and professional leaders is seen to clarify through mayor model. It seems that the beliefs, expectations and aims linked to the mayoral model are vague and abstract. The model is believed to change local governance system profoundly in a way that changes not only the leading figure but also the rhythm, direction and basis of local public management.
