ABSTRACT

This paper considers the nature, origins and expression of place leadership in communities undergoing large-scale economic transformation. It examines where people look for leadership in the management of the places where they live, and how their perspectives are affected by an adverse event. It documents community attitudes on the influence those who occupy positions of authority have been able to exert on this transition, drawing on perceptions from places affected by the shutdown of the Australian automotive industry in the second decade of the twenty-first century. It seeks to understand which individuals and roles were seen to be influential in leading this process of change. This article gains insights into how leaders have an impact, and where this ability to effect change comes from. It does so with reference to the structural conditions embedded within Australian political life and the way leadership finds expression in periods of uncertainty and transformation. The paper finds communities are acutely aware of where the power to lead change resides, but concerns with the efficacy of that leadership have contributed to discontent. A greater focus on further empowering local leadership while delivering on long term expectations would have resulted in more positive perceptions.

MAD statement

This paper answers the question, how can local leaders manage large-scale, disruptive change such as the closure of a major employer or the shutdown of an entire industry? The paper makes clear that different types of leaders need to respond in varied ways, depending on their source of authority, their degree of connection to the affected community and the nature of the shock experienced by the local economy. Senior government leaders need to map out and deliver a roadmap for economic recovery, social service providers need to be responsive to local needs and those leaders living in the community must continue to strengthen social networks.

摘要

本文探讨了经历大规模经济转型的社区中地方领导力的性质、起源和表现。它检查人们在他们居住的地方的管理中寻找领导的地方，以及他们的观点如何受到不利事件的影响。它记录了社区对那些占据权威地位的人能够对这一转变施加的影响的态度，借鉴了 21 世纪第二个十年受澳大利亚汽车工业关闭影响的地方的看法。它试图了解哪些个人和角色被视为在领导这一变革过程中具有影响力。本文深入了解领导者如何产生影响，以及这种影响变革的能力从何而来。它参考了澳大利亚政治生活中的结构性条件以及领导力在不确定和转型时期的表现方式。该论文发现社区敏锐地意识到领导变革的力量所在，但对这种领导效力的担忧导致了不满。在实现长期期望的同时，更加注重进一步增强地方领导的权能，会产生更积极的看法。

MAD声明

本文回答了这样一个问题，即地方领导人如何应对大规模的破坏性变化，例如关闭一家主要雇主或关闭整个行业？该文件明确指出，不同类型的领导人需要以不同的方式做出回应，这取决于他们的权力来源、他们与受影响社区的联系程度以及当地经济所经历的冲击的性质。高级政府领导人需要制定并交付经济复苏路线图，社会服务提供者需要响应当地需求，而生活在社区中的领导人必须继续加强社交网络。