Presents a study of the causes leading to the adoption of commission and managerial administrative structures and their subsequent abandonment by 267 of America's largest cities during the period 1900-1942. Event-history methods of analysis are used. (Author/AM)

Advocates for education reform are becoming increasingly frustrated with the pace of progress in school districts across the United States, especially those in urban communities. Low student achievement appears to be a fact of life in most of these districts, particularly among poor students and students of color. Results of the National…

The authors discuss the results of a survey which collected data on female candidacy for city council offices and on election victories. Questionnaires were mailed to 838 U.S. cities with a population of 25,000 or more. (Author/RM)

The effects of process and structure on influence in decision-making were not consistent across organizational levels. (Author)

Four conceptual dimensions (organizational domain, integration, risk, and need) are explored to determine their likely independent and interactive influences on the adoptability of a computer application in local government. (Author/IRT)

Three analytic approaches to the study of neighborhoods are presented: (1) typologies, (2) stages of change, and (3) functions, which include economic, administrative, political, and social functions. (Author/RLV)

Summarizes current trends in public employee pension systems, discussing the present and potential problems facing such systems and suggesting ways to keep public pension plans financially solvent. Available from: Salary and Merit, Suite 908, 1835 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006; single copy $2.50. (JG)

Examines city government managers' metaphorical language, documenting differences in number, type, intensity, and imagery of metaphors used. Identifies several organizational metaphor categories. Suggests that members of an organization share metaphorical meanings, and that there is an association between managers' metaphor use and subordinates'…

Studied Metro Seniors in Action, a Chicago coalition of 77 senior groups. Findings suggest that seniors are able to establish citywide networks but need continuous involvement of local groups, to create broad coalition with democratic governance but require professional staff, and to advocate interests of seniors but must continue to use…

Surveyed city officials and executive directors of nonprofit organizations nationwide regarding how community-based organizations (CBOs) and city governments collaborated to reduce poverty and revitalize neighborhoods. Although city-CBO collaboration was fairly widespread, in most communities the collaboration was rather "thin," and…

This report looks at three very distinct intermediary organizations--The Reinvestment Fund, a social-purpose lender and financier of community and economic revitalization in Philadelphia; Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership, a labor/management partnership in Milwaukee; and the Seattle Jobs Initiative, an agency that began its operations within…

This bibliography lists books and articles dealing with the structures and processes of local politics in the U.S., especially as they relate to urban planning. The primary intent is to help planners gain the political knowledge and awareness they need to effectively perform their role in the community political process. All publications are…

The purpose of this essay is to discuss some of the practical aspects of getting systems analysis done as a way of getting decisions made; this can complement the formal methods of optimization devised for idealized decision making situations. The emphasis here is on State and Local governments. The use of PPBS at the State and Local levels is…