Over leiderschap in multi-level governance : een vergelijkend onderzoek over de provinciegouverneur in Vlaanderen en de commissaris van de Koningin in Nederland

Based on multiple casestudies (in five Flemish and Dutch provincis) and a qualitative research method (document analysis and in depth interviews with 68 actors), we analyse the leadership of Flemish governors and Dutch Commissioners of the Queen. We found evidence for path-dependency, little difference between the leadership practice (despite different institutional context). Variance in leadership can be explained mainly by factors at micro and meso level. There is little evidence of formal strengthening of leadership position but the actors compensate this by jumping of scales. Strong evidence for leadership competition between the appointed and elected political leaders. The inherent duality of the function is reported both to be a weakness as a strength.Public defense: 2010-02-17Based on multiple casestudies (in five Flemish and Dutch provincis) and a qualitative research method (document analysis and in depth interviews with 68 actors), we analyse the leadership of Flemish governors and Dutch Commissioners of the Queen. We found evidence for path-dependency, little difference between the leadership practice (despite different institutional context). Variance in leadership can be explained mainly by factors at micro and meso level. There is little evidence of formal strengthening of leadership position but the actors compensate this by jumping of scales. Strong evidence for leadership competition between the appointed and elected political leaders. The inherent duality of the function is reported both to be a weakness as a strength.D