Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

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

Bringselius, Louise LU (2012)
Abstract
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.
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
mergers, agency mergers, blame-avoidance, public management
host publication
Mergers and Acquisitions: The Critical Role of Stakeholders
editor
Andersson, Helén ; Havila, Virpi and Nilsson, Fredrik
publisher
Routledge
ISBN
978-0-415-53652-3
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
5c1ac54e-279a-42fc-8a7e-dd0023d4d461 (old id 3127035)
alternative location
http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415536523/
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 12:23:39
date last changed
2018-11-21 21:10:41
@inbook{5c1ac54e-279a-42fc-8a7e-dd0023d4d461,
  abstract     = {{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.}},
  author       = {{Bringselius, Louise}},
  booktitle    = {{Mergers and Acquisitions: The Critical Role of Stakeholders}},
  editor       = {{Andersson, Helén and Havila, Virpi and Nilsson, Fredrik}},
  isbn         = {{978-0-415-53652-3}},
  keywords     = {{mergers; agency mergers; blame-avoidance; public management}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Routledge}},
  title        = {{Mergers of Authorities in Central Government: Role Ambiguities and Blame-Avoidance}},
  url          = {{http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415536523/}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}