TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
A1  - Laffin, Martin
A1  - Wayenberg, Ellen
T1  - Subnational Government in the Research Spotlight
BT  - the Merit of EGPA Permament study Group 5
JF  - Public Administration in Europe : The Contribution of EGPA
N2  - Kuhlmann, Laffin and Wayenberg point out three main strands of subnational changes that have significantly dominated the research field and focus of Permanent Study Group 5. Elaborating upon the Study Group’s contributions, the chapter overviews relevant research questions, approaches and findings that have been touched upon concerning local and regional government systems, subnational reforms and their evaluation in a multi-level governance setting. The chapter concludes with zooming in on austerity as a main driver of future developments upon and amongst all levels of government.
Y1  - 2018
SN  - 978-3-319-92855-5
SN  - 978-3-319-92856-2
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-92856-2_15
SP  - 147
EP  - 165
PB  - Springer
CY  - Cham
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kersting, Norbert
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
T1  - Sub-municipal Units in Germany
BT  - Municipal and Metropolitan Districts
JF  - Sub-municipal Units in Germany: Municipal and Metropolitan Districts
N2  - Sub-municipal units (SMUs) in Germany differ in German Länder. In Berlin, Hamburg and München Metropole Districts fulfill a number of quasi-municipal self-government rights and functions. They have their own budget and strong councils, as well as mayors. In all other Länder, most sub-municipal councils were subordinated under the municipal council and directly elected mayor heading the administration. SMUs were introduced as a kind of compensation with different territorial reforms in the 1970s. Although directly elected, sub-municipal councilors are weak, and their advisory role competes with other newly established advisory boards. Here the focus remains on traffic and town planning. Some sub-municipal councils fulfill smaller administrative functions and become more relevant and important in recent decentralization strategies of neighborhood development.
Y1  - 2018
SN  - 978-3-319-64725-8
SN  - 978-3-319-64724-1
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-64725-8_5
SP  - 93
EP  - 118
PB  - Palgrave
CY  - Basingstoke
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
A1  - Bogumil, Jörg
T1  - Performance measurement and benchmarking as “reflexive institutions” for local governments
BT  - Germany, Sweden and England compared
JF  - International journal of public sector management
N2  - Purpose 
The purpose of this paper is to discuss different approaches of performance measurement and benchmarking as reflexive institutions for local governments in England, Germany and Sweden from a comparative perspective. 
Design/methodology/approach 
These three countries have been selected because they represent typical (most different) cases of European local government systems and reforms. The existing theories on institutional reflexivity point to the potential contribution of benchmarking to public sector innovation and organizational learning. Based on survey findings, in-depth case studies, interviews and document analyses in these three countries, the paper addresses the major research question as to what extent and why benchmarking regimes vary across countries. It derives hypotheses about the impacts of benchmarking on institutional learning and innovation. 
Findings 
The outcomes suggest that the combination of three key features of benchmarking, namely - obligation, sanctions and benchmarking authority - in conjunction with country-specific administrative context conditions and local actor constellations - influences the impact of benchmarking as a reflexive institution. 
Originality/value 
It is shown in the paper that compulsory benchmarking on its own does not lead to reflexivity and learning, but that there is a need for autonomy and leeway for local actors to cope with benchmarking results. These findings are relevant because policy makers must decide upon the specific governance mix of benchmarking exercises taking their national and local contexts into account if they want them to promote institutional learning and innovation.
KW  - Benchmarking
KW  - Administration
KW  - Local government reform
Y1  - 2018
U6  - https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-01-2017-0004
SN  - 0951-3558
SN  - 1758-6666
VL  - 31
IS  - 4
SP  - 543
EP  - 562
PB  - Emerald Group Publishing Limited
CY  - Bingley
ER  - 
TY  - GEN
A1  - Bouckaert, Geert
A1  - Kuhlmann, Sabine
T1  - Foreword
T2  - Sub-Municipal Governance in Europe: Decentralization Beyond the Municipal Tier
Y1  - 2018
SN  - 978-3-319-64725-8
SN  - 978-3-319-64724-1
SP  - V
EP  - VI
PB  - Palgrave
CY  - Basingstoke
ER  -