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Comparative Biography and Leadership in Whitehall
Author(s) -
Theakston Kevin
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
public administration
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.313
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1467-9299
pISSN - 0033-3298
DOI - 10.1111/1467-9299.00079
Subject(s) - biography , civil service , argument (complex analysis) , civil servants , management , public service , administration (probate law) , political science , sociology , bureaucracy , service (business) , public administration , public relations , law , medicine , politics , business , marketing , economics
The article discusses (1) the uses, advantages and drawbacks of the biographical approach in the study of public administration and (2) the application of theories of leadership to senior British civil servants. The argument is advanced that biographical case studies ‐ looking at the personal qualities, careers and achievements of top mandarins ‐ can illuminate the exercise of leadership in Whitehall and the changing role and culture of the civil service.