The Contingency of Leadership – A Case Study of Municipal Trajectory Management

Authors

  • Ole Johan Andersen Faculty of Social Sciences, North University, Norway

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v26i1.7036

Keywords:

Leadership, contingencies, trajectory management, interactionist theory, innovative project

Abstract

The paper elaborates on the contingency of leadership, referring to specific circumstances that require deliberate interventions, while challenging efforts to implement concerted action. This applies particularly when issues are at stake. The paper suggests that the notion of trajectory, which lies at the heart of the pragmatist Anselm Strauss’ interactionist theory of action, merits further consideration. Empirically, the paper draws on experiences from a case study of an innovative project consisting of the building of premises for a library and a concert hall, called ‘Stormen’, in Bodø municipality, located in Northern Norway. Several controversial issues bore on the process. Although the municipal leadership managed to bring the project to a successful conclusion, trajectory management was rather demanding. The paper should consequently serve the analytical purpose well of discussing how and why contingencies, anticipated as well as unanticipated, challenge the performance of leadership.

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Author Biography

Ole Johan Andersen, Faculty of Social Sciences, North University, Norway

Ole Johan Andersen is a professor emeritus, Nord Universitet/North University-Bodø. Before retiring in 2017 he did hold a professorship in organization and leadership. His specialties include organizational theory, public administration, and local/regional policy. He has done research into more fields, and issues relating to intermunicipal co-operation, application of agencies in municipal service provision and steering at an arm’s length distance stand at the core of his research interests and publications the last decade. In this period, he has taken an increasing interest in the American pragmatic tradition, and especially A. Strauss’ interactionist theory of action.

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Published

2022-03-15

How to Cite

Andersen, O. J. (2022). The Contingency of Leadership – A Case Study of Municipal Trajectory Management. Scandinavian Journal of Public Administration, 26(1), 29–44. https://doi.org/10.58235/sjpa.v26i1.7036

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Section

Original Articles

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