Innovations in Local Government Human Resource Systems: Observations from Several Best Practice Locations

Abstract

The search for optimal means of accomplishing various public management tasks has long pervaded the thought and practice of public administration. This study represents an up-close look at several local jurisdictions-cities and counties-that are recognized leaders in reforming their human resources systems. The specific reforms discussed touch upon almost all elements of any government's personnel system including recruitment, selection, employee motivation (retention), training, and development. Some of the most significant conclusions of the research resonate from the prominence of various "reinvention" themes in the jurisdictions' reform agendas. Relatedly, the study offers proof that there are many examples of human resource management innovations that might be readily transported into other settings. Another significant conclusion of the site visits is that the process by which reform is introduced may well be as important as the substance of the innovations themselves.

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