Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18749
Title: Slow Change at the Top: 'Old Hands' and 'Accidental Executives' in New South Wales Local Government
Contributor(s): Smith-Ruig, Theresa  (author)orcid ; Grant, Bligh (author); Sheridan, Alison J  (author)orcid 
Publication Date: 2016
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.1111/1467-8500.12160Open Access Link
Handle Link: https://hdl.handle.net/1959.11/18749
Abstract: Scholars and practitioners alike have recognised that an increased role for women leader in Australian local government would strengthen the sector, yet little research to date ha examined the career paths of non-elected officials. This article combines the gender in organisations literature with career theory to examine the career paths of 16 general managers (GMs) in New South Wales.We found that half the participants had linear career paths based entirely within local government and half had boundaryless careers originating outside the sector. This second cohort consisted overwhelmingly of women. Nevertheless, a high incidence of happenstance characterised both career types. Several participants saw themselves pitted against a gendered (i.e. male) group of 'old hands' who were resistant to change being driven by 'accidental executives', a high proportion of whom were women. The findings have implications for a sector attempting to attract and retain skilled staff, particularly women.
Publication Type: Journal Article
Source of Publication: Australian Journal of Public Administration, 75(1), p. 89-99
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons, Inc
Place of Publication: Australia
ISSN: 1467-8500
0313-6647
Fields of Research (FoR) 2008: 150305 Human Resources Management
160509 Public Administration
Fields of Research (FoR) 2020: 350503 Human resources management
440708 Public administration
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2008: 910402 Management
940299 Government and Politics not elsewhere classified
Socio-Economic Objective (SEO) 2020: 150302 Management
Peer Reviewed: Yes
HERDC Category Description: C1 Refereed Article in a Scholarly Journal
Appears in Collections:Journal Article
UNE Business School

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