Mergers of Authorities in Central Government: Role Ambiguities and Blame-Avoidance

• Mergers of autonomous executive authorities in central government have become increasingly common, in particular in the Nordic countries. As compared to private sector mergers, the role of the principal (the central Government and its ministries) is more obscure in these mergers, this chapter argues. When problems arise in a merger, the ministry can take a step back and shift to a stakeholder position, while holding the agent responsible. Drawing on a case study, the consequences of these role ambiguities are explored. It is concluded that principal and agent risk losing citizen/client confidence when attempting to avoid blame instead of cooperating.

Subject headings

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business (hsv//eng)

SAMHÄLLSVETENSKAP  -- Ekonomi och näringsliv -- Företagsekonomi (hsv//swe)

SOCIAL SCIENCES  -- Economics and Business -- Business Administration (hsv//eng)

Keyword

mergers

agency mergers

blame-avoidance

public management

Publication and Content Type

kap (subject category)

ref (subject category)