Leading Success? Establishing Leadership and Governance in a ‘Successful’ Economy

Abstract

Purpose

To examine the governance network in Northamptonshire, an area awarded the status of the most enterprising place in Britain in 2012.

Methodology

A combination of original interviews and documentary analysis to track the development of governance across two place-based initiatives.

Findings

Governance and leadership efforts were hindered by three factors prior to 2010; geographical, issues of legitimacy and a lack of stimulus for action in a successful economy. Changes since the General Election have enabled the Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to overcome the first of these but work on the other two is ongoing.

Research limitations

The research has been conducted in the early stages of the LEP’s work and more time is needed to see if the progress made to date translates into a meaningful role.

Social implications

Place-based strategies need to be based around pre-agreed territorial boundaries. In addition development agencies need to be able to demonstrate competency in order to be seen as legitimate actors.

Originality/value of chapter

The chapter offers an insight into establishing governance and leadership in an already successful economy. Most papers in this area either examine deprived areas or areas where governance is key to the success.

Citation

Quinn, M. (2014), "Leading Success? Establishing Leadership and Governance in a ‘Successful’ Economy", Enterprising Places: Leadership and Governance Networks (Contemporary Issues in Entrepreneurship Research, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 55-73. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2040-724620140000003009