Staci M. Zavattaro

A sentiment analysis of U.S. local government tweets: The connection between tone and citizen involvement

Abstract As social media tools become more popular at all levels of government, more research is needed to determine how the platforms can be used to create meaningful citizen–government collaboration. Many entities use the tools in one-way, push manners. The aim of this research is to determine if sentiment (tone) can positively influence citizen participation with government via social media. Using a systematic random sample of 125 U.S. cities, we found that positive sentiment is more likely to engender digital participation but this was not a perfect one-to-one relationship. Some cities that had an overall positive sentiment score and displayed a participatory style of social media use did not have positive citizen sentiment scores. We argue that positive tone is only one part of a successful social media interaction plan, and encourage social media managers to actively manage platforms to use activities that spur participation.

A grounded theoretical approach to understanding innovation in destination marketing organizations

As competition for scarce resources increases, cities are turning toward marketing strategies to attract economic and social development. Innovation is a key component of success for destination marketing organizations (DMOs), but there is a need for additional empirical and theoretical development. Findings from this research based on analysis of interviews with 12 DMO leaders illuminate the need for (1) an innovation-centered organizational culture, (2) the ability to use external stakeholders as knowledge sources, and (3) the ability to use and develop knowledge internally. An organizational capabilities perspective is used to understand these influences. The results offer managers a road map for successful innovation implementation and benefit researchers by providing clarity into the antecedents of the innovation capability with the DMO context.

Contracting, Ethics, and Policy Adoption: The Case of Florida Municipalities

Local government policy makers continue to pursue governance reforms that introduce business-like practices including the privatization or contracting-out of essential government services. It is unclear how these privatized arrangements may influence the accountability standards of local government employees and elected officials. Using a Cox proportional hazard model, the current study examines how privatization of essential services influences the adoption of ethics policies for Florida cities (N = 409) from 2011–2015. Findings suggest that privatization is associated with a decreased likelihood that cities hold employees and elected officials accountable through codified ethical standards, but that the structure of the local government is associated with an increased likelihood of these policies. City managers are positively associated with the likelihood of explicit ethics policies, further supporting the notion of the manager as forward thinking comprehensive policy maker. Implications for scholars and practitioners are discussed.

A view from the inside: Collaborating with students to flip the classroom in real time

ABSTRACT This article details decisions made to flip a small, public administration graduate-level course in real time. Interweaving student feedback with instructor notes and reflections gives a unique, personal look into a scenario-based course that changed weekly. We detail this dynamism, highlighting successes and failures in flipping the classroom. Students were positively able to apply administrative theories in real time but struggled to maintain relevance and connection to the readings. The narrative details how we all collaborated on an innovative pedagogical practice to apply public sector theories in real time.

Theory to Practice: Opening an Old Can Anew

As I write this, I have returned from a whirlwind American Society for Public Administration (ASPA) conference. I attended several panels and quite enjoyed seeing so many colleagues from the Public Administration Theory Network in Denver. The hallway chats, and of course those in the lobby bar, proved quite fruitful as always. One phrase I kept hearing again and again was “theory to practice.” Almost every session I sat in had at least one presenter mention translating theory to practice. This is certainly not a new refrain for our field, but I worry that it is going the way of “the people” (Catlaw, 2007). Catlaw, through his careful analysis, explains the problems with lumping everyone together into a seemingly singular body with the same ideas and ideals. I could easily see the same happening for the “theory to practice” phrasing within the field. In that language a power dynamic still lies—I am bringing you, the practitioner, my research that you must need to make your job better. Now, to be clear, there are indeed important times when research should inform practice, but must it always? I think that is the important distinction, especially within the pages of this journal and the new pages of another theoretically driven journal, Perspectives on Public Management and Governance. This reawakening of theory, broadly defined, shows there is room for more than only “theory to practice.” How, for example, can practice instead inform theory and our research? Again, that refrain is also not new. Many scholars note that we should look at what is taking place in the field and, through some kind of grounded approach, derive theories from that. Or we should look at where practitioners are facing challenges, devise a research project, and send answers back down. There, though, that power dynamic still remains. To paraphrase a popular refrain: I am the scholar, and I am here to help. It is the place of this journal and the authors therein to publish research that appeals to, to borrow from Dwight Waldo, public administration and Public Administration. Critiques of the status quo might not have a direct connection to practice, but does that make them any

Concluding Thoughts—Now What?

We hope the reflections have left you inspired or crying (like they did us several times while compiling this volume) or energized or scared. It’s okay to feel all of those reactions and more. Our goal was openness and honesty with you, our readers. We asked scholars who we knew—and many more we have only “met” via online platforms such as Twitter or Facebook—to share their stories with us and you. Each and every one of them did it out of a desire to make academic life better. No one earned a stipend.

Surviving and Thriving in Academia: Obtaining Balance, Health, and Clarity

The reflections in this section run the gamut from inspirational to sad to triumphant to scary. We came up with the idea for this book because we wanted to make a difference for people. Sometimes in academia (and outside of it, of course), one can feel lonely. We hear story after story about long hours hunched over computers alone, having not actually spoken a word out loud in hours. This can be quite jarring for many. Even as a student, you have to cut yourself a break. You are balancing so many life functions that sometimes your sanity (and health, as you’ll read herein) drops to the wayside.

The Art of Teaching: Really, It is an Art

Standing up in front of a room of students is not easy. It is a performance. Online teaching does not remove the performative aspects. In this section, authors offer their advice on mentoring in the doctoral program, developing teaching strategies, seeking help, and embracing fear. Reflections on teaching as a minority drive home the many aspects of performing identities in academia.

Graduate School: Reflecting on Everything from Choosing to Finishing

Reflections in this section trace the process from selecting a graduate school program to passing qualifying exams to writing the “Big D”—the dissertation. Current graduate students and faculty offer their best advice for being successful in graduate school and overcoming the hurdles that will undoubtedly pop up.

Onto the Job Market

Reflections here cover strategies for conquering the job market even before you begin to think about seeking a job. Authors here keep it honest, sharing their experiences with rejection on the market, constantly having to move for jobs, and transitioning from student to professor. A powerful reflection sheds light on what it is like being transgender on the academic job market.