University of Tasmania
Browse

File(s) not publicly available

Clockwork and Network: Getting Things Done in a Rural Town

conference contribution
posted on 2023-05-23, 04:56 authored by Eversole, R, Scholfield, K
This paper explores the tensions between informal and formal institutions of governance in rural towns, in order to reveal some of the stresses and contradictions of attempting to create partnerships between governments and communities. Drawing on published accounts, ethnographic observations, and conversations with a group of rural-based co-researchers working in government-funded local programs, the paper emphasises the importance of informal, personal, and extra-bureaucratic networks for ‘getting things done’ – from immediate problem solving to long-term strategic planning. Government departments, particularly at State level, are increasingly recognising the value of local networks as innovators. Yet as large, formal bureaucratic institutions, they are incapable of engaging with informal networks on their own terms. Partnerships must be formally established, policies observed, and decision-making about new initiatives must pass through formal institutional protocols. Networks are expected to function like ‘clockwork’ – that is, to follow a managerial, rather than a community, model of governance. Meanwhile, government policy at local, State and Commonwealth levels increasingly limits and channels informal action by formalising and regulating it. This paper argues that the meeting point between government and community institutions is a very tenuous one, and any serious attempt at partnership must acknowledge the importance of informal institutions and resist the temptation to change them into what they are not.

History

Publication title

AUCEA 2006 Proceedings

Editors

Robyn Eversole

Pagination

2 - 7

Publisher

RMIT

Place of publication

Melbourne

Event title

Australian Universities Community Engagement Alliance (AUCEA)

Event Venue

Melbourne Park Function Centre

Date of Event (Start Date)

2006-09-25

Date of Event (End Date)

2006-09-27

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Other culture and society not elsewhere classified

Usage metrics

    University Of Tasmania

    Exports

    RefWorks
    BibTeX
    Ref. manager
    Endnote
    DataCite
    NLM
    DC