Determinants of Local Government Workforce Planning. (March 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Goodman, Doug; French, P. Edward; Battaglio, R. Paul
• Is Part Of: American review of public administration. Volume 45:Number 2(2015:Mar.)
• Page Start: 135
• Page End: 152
• Publication Date: 2015-03
• Subjects: public human resource management -- workforce planning -- local government; Public administration -- Periodicals; Public administration -- United States -- Periodicals; 351
• DOI: 10.1177/0275074013486179
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0275-0740

Abstract

This article evaluates the utilization of workforce planning by municipalities across the United States with data derived from a survey of local government human resource professionals. The research demonstrates that certain aspects of workforce planning such as assessments of employee retirement, long-term recruitment and retention, and training and development have been integrated into the human resource functions of several municipalities. The authors also find that local governments that recognize the importance of training and development, information management, managing diversity, unions, and council–manager forms of government are more progressive in their implementation of workforce planning initiatives. However, many local governments still fail to recognize the opportunities that comprehensive workforce planning presents in developing and achieving the strategic goals of their organizations and managing human capital, especially given the political and economic climates.