P06 SIG Local Governance

Panel Chairs and Co-Chairs

Corresponding chair: Reto Steiner, ZHAW School of Management and Law, CH, Email: reto.steiner@zhaw.ch

Review group chair: Denita Cepiku, University of Rome Tor Vergata, IT, Email: cepiku@economia.uniroma2.it

• Filippo Giordano, LUMSA, Rome, IT
• Tobias Polzer, Vienna University of Economics and Business, AT
• Enrico Guarini, University of Milano-Bicocca, IT
• Sabine Kuhlmann, University of Potsdam, DE
• Carmen Navarro, Universidad Autonóma de Madrid, ES
• Christopher Tapscott, University of Western Cape - School of Government, ZA
• Claudia N. Avellaneda, O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs, Indiana University, USA

Summary

Globally, local authorities are significant players in the provision of public services. The local tier is close to the citizens, and it is at the local level that the effects of overlapping crises first become tangible. Climate change, geopolitical tensions, demographic shifts, digital transformation, fiscal pressures, public health emergencies, and challenges to democratic governance increasingly interact and amplify one another. These polycrises, wicked problems and grand challenges have a direct and high impact on what services are needed at the local tier of government, and on the way these services can be provided in a safe, secure and reliable manner.

The aim of this panel is to discuss the future of service delivery at the local tier of government with a special emphasis on how local governments cope with polycrises and wicked problems, safeguard safety and security, and sustain public trust through innovation and transformation. Potential topics might include the following:

• What do citizens, civil society organizations and the private sector expect from their municipalities in times of polycrisis? Have the expectations changed over time? How can this be measured?
• How can citizens and other stakeholders participate in the decision-making process, particularly under conditions of uncertainty and crisis?
• How can local authorities become more responsive and resilient when confronted with wicked problems and grand challenges?
• Which coordination mechanisms across levels of government, sectors and jurisdictions help local governments address crises that transcend local boundaries?
• What innovations are taking place at the local tier of government to strengthen crisis preparedness, safety and security? How do they transform local government? How do processes change?
• Do managerial and structural reforms (e.g., amalgamations, inter-municipal cooperation) improve service delivery and strengthen local crisis capacity?
• What is the role of artificial intelligence and digital transformation on decision making, the production process, local service delivery and its impact? Which opportunities and risks do they create for security, cybersecurity and public trust?
• How can local governments sustain public trust and democratic legitimacy while acting under ambiguity, fiscal pressure and overlapping crises?

A special session dedicated to “Management innovations in Local Governments: rethinking and redesigning safe, secure, and sustainable public management” will be held inside the panel coordinated by Tadateru Sugawa, Doshisya University and Hiroko Kudo, Chuo University. It is seeking papers on the following topics and related issues:

• How does the global and national political environment impact local managerial reforms?
• How do citizens and public servants participate in the local government reform processes?
• How can managerial innovations in a single local entity affect other public sector organizations?

We invite scholars studying public administration and management at the local tier of government to reflect theoretically and share empirical research. We especially expect papers presenting comparative studies that for example compare local responses to crises and local service delivery across different policy fields or tiers of government, organizational contexts or countries. A focus on the contribution of local government to safety, security and resilience in times of polycrisis - in line with the IRSPM 2027 conference theme - is highly appreciated