Decision-Makers' Generation of Policy Solutions amidst Negative Performance: Invention or Rigidity?

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: van der Voet, Joris; Lems, Elvira
• 署名单位: Leiden University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Leiden University - Excl LUMC; Leiden University; Leiden University; Leiden University - Excl LUMC
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/puar.13462
• 发表日期: 2022
• 页码: 931-945
• 关键词: managerial performance; aspiration levels; INFORMATION; ORGANIZATIONS; management; INNOVATION

摘要

Behavioral theory proposes that decision-makers engage in search to identify satisfactory policy solutions to organizational problems. For complex problems, required solutions cannot be identified merely through search, but must be created and designed. While behavioral theory suggests that negative performance will spur creative solution generation, threat-rigidity theory provides a competing view that decision-makers' creative efforts are ultimately thwarted through restricted information processing and constriction of control. We test these competing expectations through a survey-experimental comparison of the creativity of policy solutions in response to negative budgetary performance, generated by a nationally representative sample of local government decision-makers. The findings indicate that negative performance decreases the creativity of policy solutions as rated by policy experts, and reveals that key mechanisms of threat-rigidity theory are at play. This reduced generation of creative policy solutions amidst negative performance places limits on public organizations' capacity to adapt to adverse circumstances.