Decentralization of the purchasing function in municipal government: a national survey

Recent public sector management reform efforts have focused on the decentralization of managerial discretion and the empowerment of operational managers. To what extent have purchasing functions been decentralized in municipal governments in the wake of these efforts? What are the organizational factors associated with the decentralization of purchasing? On the basis of a national survey of municipal governments in the United States, this research finds that decentralization of the responsibility for purchasing has been limited. The decentralization that has occurred is associated with decentralization of budgeting and personnel systems, an organization=s analytical capacity to employ administrative and analytical tools, and an organization=s commitment to and support of enhanced performance and accountability.