Response to discussion question 4

Respond in one or more of the following ways:

•  
• Ask a probing question.
  
• Share an insight from having read your colleague's posting.
  
• Offer and support an opinion.
  
• Validate an idea with your own experience.
  
• Make a suggestion.
  
• Expand on your colleague's posting.

In Article A (Institutional Collective Action and Economic Development Joint Ventures), Feiock, Steinacker, and Park (2009) outlined how municipalities address advantages and disadvantages of combined efforts, such as joint ventures (p.1). The research data is already present and the participants want to evaluate beneficial outcomes of administrative actions. Therefore, the research design is quantitative, because the research reflects “on its conformation or disconfirmation” (Creswell, 2009, p. 55). It can further be concluded the theories, which include the benefits of collaboration, have already been developed by local administrators.  These theories are, according to Creswell (2009), already developed and the objective is on “testing and verifying a theory rather than developing it” (p. 55). Researchers at the University of Missouri in St. Louis (n.d.) concluded that quantitative research includes methods to describe relationships and test their cause and effect, while qualitative research is focused on providing meaning to new ideas and theories (para 1-2). 

As Feiock et al. (2009) explained, the basic reason for municipalities to develop strategies and shared responsibilities “is the necessary condition for any cooperative agreement is an increase in benefits” (p. 258). Based on that assumption, Feiock et al. (2009) address the question why some administrations engage in collaborations with other agencies, while others do not engage in such shared partnerships (p. 255). First, it must be added that any answer based on these questions requires a deductive approach. Creswell (2009) argued that quantitative research “uses theory deductively and placed it at the beginning of the proposal for study” (p. 55). In other words, as faculty at Butte College (n.d.) explained, the research is then deductive when the argument must be considered and found to be true or valid (sec. 1. 3, para. 1). Feiock et al. (2009) developed a valid statement to begin their research, because they outlined that the environment of their case is set in a competitive environment in which communities compete against each other (p. 256). This statement is generally true. Jensen (1995) confirmed and argued that most governments have evolved over a time, but some still celebrate a culture of stagnation (para. 8). With this being said, it becomes clear that Feiock et al. (2009) focus on the financial aspect of government, its competitiveness, and its strategies to create intergovernmental collaborations (p. 265). Deductive reasoning and quantitative research is now based on the agencies data, stemming from the fiscal year, budgetary constraints, expenditures, and revenue through grants, taxes, and returns of investments.  Feiock et al. (2009) summarize these costs as costs related to bargaining, information, division, agency, and enforcement (p. 258). These factors are later identified as variables, because they vary when collaborating with other government agencies (p. 259). They also vary depending on economic circumstances. We could say if X reflects government A’s budget and variable Y reflects a loss of revenue due to the closure of a company in the government’s jurisdiction, then X-Y is the result of reduced revenue. If government B receives Y due to the move from government A, government receives increased revenue X+Y. If both jurisdictions now collaborate and combine in services, both might be able to maintain X=Y.  The research is now focused on how to motivate collaboration and increase sufficient exchange of governmental resources.  

In summary, the assumption is valid that government participates in some form of competition on a free market and is, as a general statement, dependent on revenue, grants, the economy, public safety, and sound financial management. Intergovernmental collaboration, as Feiock et al. (2009) argue that these strategies can lead to networks and related social capital that “lead to cooperative solutions” (p. 267).

References:   

Butte College. (n.d.) Deduction and induction. Retrieved from http://www.butte.edu/resources/interim/wmwu/iLogic/1.3/iLogic_1_3.html 

 Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research design:   Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (3.ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Feiock, R. C., Steinacker, A., & Park, H. J.   (2009). Institutional collective action and economic development joint   ventures . Public Administration Review (69)2, 256-270. Retrieved from  http://web.a.ebscohost.com.ezp.waldenulibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=aebe3386-ae6a-42d3-a561-88ee7fe27cf9%40sessionmgr4002&vid=0&hid=4207.

Jensen, R. (1995) Managed competition. Retrieved from https://msu.edu/course/prr/371/Privatization%20and%20Downsizing/competion.html  

University of Missouri in St. Louis. (n.d.) Qualitative research designs. Retrieved fromhttp://www.umsl.edu/~lindquists/qualdsgn.html