Size and Administrative Intensity in Macro-Level Systems: A Reconciliation

Three studies on the effect of system size on administrative intensity are reviewed in an attempt to reconcile their apparently contradictory findings: (1) J. D. Kasarda's research indicating increasing intensity with larger size (see SA 22:4/G9744); (2) J. J. Noell's study noting an oppos...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Social forces 1983-03, Vol.61 (3), p.886-892
Main Author: Clarke, Clifford J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
5 on Methods and Measures
Administration/Administrations/ Administrative/ Administrator/ Administrators
Agricultural management
Datasets
Economic research
Economic systems
Economies of scale
Intensity/Intensification
Population size
Public administration
Size/Sizes
Support personnel
System/Systems
University administration
Workforce
Citations: Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Three studies on the effect of system size on administrative intensity are reviewed in an attempt to reconcile their apparently contradictory findings: (1) J. D. Kasarda's research indicating increasing intensity with larger size (see SA 22:4/G9744); (2) J. J. Noell's study noting an opposite, decreasing intensity in larger systems (see SA 23:1/H1534); & (3) P. D. Nolan's finding of a curvilinear relationship between the two variables (see SA 27:4/K1608). Issues of size & intensity measures used, the form of the variables' relationship, & the different samples used in each study are detailed; in particular, divergent intensity measures & different sample types (eg, interstate vs international) appear to account for the conflicting outcomes. 2 Tables. L. Whittemore.
ISSN:0037-7732
1534-7605
DOI:10.1093/sf/61.3.886