Mega-Gifts: Hijacking Administrative Discretion?. (1st November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Webb Farley, Kathryn E.; Olejarski, Amanda M.
• Is Part Of: Public integrity. Volume 22:Number 6(2020)
• Page Start: 525
• Page End: 541
• Publication Date: 2020-11-01
• Subjects: Administrative discretion -- hybrid organizations -- philanthropy; Civil service ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- United States -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- United States -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects -- Periodicals; Political ethics -- Periodicals; Civil service ethics; Political ethics; Public administration -- Moral and ethical aspects; United States; PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION; CIVIL SERVICE; MORAL ASPECTS; POLITICAL ETHICS; Periodicals; 172
• DOI: 10.1080/10999922.2020.1755070
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1099-9922

Abstract

Abstract : Blending organizational types enables public agencies to seek alternative resources, sometimes yielding mega-gifts large enough to transform the public institution and its agenda. Administrative discretion enables administrators to shape priorities based on negotiations with donors. Drawing on two cases, we examine administrative discretion in negotiating mega-gifts and implementing changes. Two findings suggest that as hybridization increases, trust and confidence in public agencies and actors may erode without responsible use of administrative discretion. First, institutions may pursue change that does not conform to elected officials' goals. Second, absent trusted leaders, institutional actors may mire gifts in institutional cultures that prohibit change.