The Start‐up Problem: Managing for Credibility and Cohesion in a New Government Agency

Creating a new government agency presents some interesting management challenges. The “Start‐up Problem” is how to balance demands for credibility outside with the need to create internal order. “Liability of Newness” whereby young organizations will perish unless they quickly supply a credible product to external expectations must be reduced. Explores some processes used by three new Canadian agencies in solving the start‐up problem and identifies several lessons that may help others.