The Forest Ranger by Herbert Kaufman
A Study in Administrative Behavior
A landmark study of the U.S. Forest Service, this work explores how field officers uphold national policies despite isolation, local pressures, and complex on-the-ground realities. Drawing on interviews and observation, it shows how recruitment, training, socialization, inspections, and rotation foster uniform behavior and strong organizational identity. It examines the balance between centralized control and ranger discretion, revealing the informal norms and administrative mechanisms that align individual decisions with agency goals. The result is a nuanced portrait of how a public bureaucracy achieves cohesion and consistent performance at its front lines.
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- Published
- 1960
- Nationality
- American
- Length
- Medium
- Pages
- 250-300
- Original Language
- English
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