Technological Innovation and Problem-Solving in Local Government: An Assessment of Current Research Methods

摘要

The results of a study of local government technological innovation are presented. Several potential external and internal determinants of innovation are presented. The report includes (1) a review of recent studies of local government innovation with conclusions about on-going research needs; (2) an organization-related conceptual framework for the study of local government technological innovation; (3) a description of the methodology used in the study; (4) a report on possible relationships between a varity of organizational policies and processes and the consideration and use of fire technologies in midwest local governments; (5) an analysis of the possible impact of both external and internal influences on the consideration of fire technologies in midwest local governments; (6) a report on the mini-pumper firetruck as a case study of technological innovation; (7) a report on two pilot cities and the local policies and processes which may be associated with innovation; and (8) a discussion of the principal findings of the study and the authors' conclusions on future research and Federal policies concerned with innovation. Questionnaires and related materials are included in the appendices.