Management matters, but exactly how do leaders make a difference in their organizations and communities? What behaviors are effective, and why? And can we train leaders to become more effective? The purpose of this umbrella project is to examine – through various contexts – when and how leadership matters for outcomes in the public sector, and how we can train public managers to become more effective leaders. 

Effective recruitment practices are paramount to cultivating and bolstering a strong workforce. This project is based on a strategic partnership with the Behavioral Insights Team at the City of Scottsdale and conducts experimental evaluations of recruitment practices using electronic platforms, including social media (e.g., Facebook). The purpose of the project is to test and uncover effective practices for bolstering existing recruitment practices in local government as well as how to reduce various biases in the recruitment and hiring processes.

Volunteers are now an integral part of service provision in many welfare states, performing various tasks at nursing homes, schools, hospitals, and libraries, including tasks previously performed by professionals. However, recent research shows that many professionals view volunteers as threats to their job and/or service quality, creating poor staff-volunteer relationships, and undermining service delivery. The purpose of this project is to explore whether – and how – management tools can reduce professionals’ threat perceptions and turn reluctance into willingness to co-produce public services. 

How can government agencies effectively communicate information about policies and prompt actions among citizens and businesses? Using the case of environmental information, this project focuses on how various forms of visual and verbal communication can help government agencies better engage citizens and businesses and encourage them to be stewards of a safe and healthy environment. The project is conducted in partnership with the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ).