Relationship between Organizational and Structural Characteristics and Local Authorities Fiscal Health

摘要: ABSTRACT This study explores the fiscal health of local authorities in Israel as a function three factors: demographic characteristics; residents' socioeconomic status; and perceived organizational reputation. The results showed that each factor was independent to its prediction examined. When factors entered together equation, they explained 51.2% variance authorities. Arab-Druze were found have inferior relation Jewish A high correlation between status also found. Finally, it demonstrated favorable reputation are highly associated. may lead us better understanding why so many Israeli been an financial position compared others. findings call for further investigation differences urges authority heads invest their efforts creating solid INTRODUCTION government Western countries plays significant role affairs country, community, individual.1 has influence aspects lives through increased activities accordance with central government. rate expenditure from total public continuously growing (Goldsmith Newton, 1988; Leach, Stewart, Walsh, 1994; Sharpe, 1988). In Israel, average per regular (ordinary) budget grown NIS 79.4 million 1996 88.6 1997 97.3 1998. Growth nonordinary (developing) well, rising 59.1 70.8 85.2 1998 (Ministry Interior, 1998, 1999). One important themes is how well perform. several countries, displays budgetary deficit state insolvency. case City Bridgeport, Connecticut, exemplified this situation filing bankruptcy result insolvency derived (Lewis, 1994). ongoing stress, putting some severe crisis. accumulated government's ordinary approximately 3.9 billion 4.3 5.2 1996, 1997, respectively. finance reveals inability supply high-standard municipal services terms both quality quantity. Studies typically address political entities drawing on approaches focusing issues. doing, do not grant appropriate attention perceiving units which charged meet well-defined purposes. present aims bridge gap argues that, while indeed very much entities, authorities' by taking such integrated approach considers more structural factors. particular, health: characteristics, status, BACKGROUND Local Authorities Fiscal Health critical stress crisis (e.g., Carmeli Cohen, 2001). …