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Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory Advance Access published online on February 25, 2008
Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, doi:10.1093/jopart/mun004
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, Inc. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Green Tape: A Theory of Effective Organizational Rules

Leisha DeHart-Davis

University of Kansas

Address correspondence to the author at lddavis{at}ku.edu.

Public management scholars over the past decade have shed significant light on ineffective rules or "red tape." This article takes a different approach by conceptualizing a theory of green tape or effective rules. The theory argues that the probability of rule effectiveness depends on the combined presence of (1) written requirements, (2) with valid means-ends relationships, which (3) employ optimal control, (4) are consistently applied, and that have (5) purposes understood by stakeholders. A study of city employees provides the data for theory development and testing. The resulting theory emphasizes technical proficiency and stakeholder cooperation in effective rule design and implementation.


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