Krisbyråkraten : Den temporära frontlinjebyråkratens dilemman

Sammanfattning: This study explores a previously unstudied phenomenon in Swedish crisis management in public administration by posing several exploratory questions. The objective is to map and expand our knowledge of how a bureaucracy, characterized by reorganizations, time pressure, and temporary employment, functions during a crisis. The temporary nature of bureaucrats’ employment in expanding or emerging organisations during a crisis is hypothesized to create a new profession characterized by it. By developing a theoretical framework using Lipsky's theory of frontline bureaucrats and prior research on crises and organizational adaptation, this study aims to explore this new area of administrative policy. Additionally, the study introduces the concept of "crisis bureaucrats" to examine this new profession.  The study aims to answer questions regarding the dilemmas that characterize crisis bureaucrats' exercise of authority and the differences in how their exercise of authority is affected by various adaptations to crises. Consequently, the study identifies two processes of new-bureaucratization and de-bureaucratization within the same organization's crisis management. The study also develops a tool to analyze these processes, which successfully maps the origins of different challenges for crisis bureaucrats, such as bureaucratic maturity and prioritization between effectiveness and legality in the organization during these processes. The theory further identifies dilemmas unique to crisis bureaucrats, such as those related to their work, resources, steering, and leadership, as well as the short-term conditions of their employment, which align with Lipsky's theory.  In conclusion, this study contributes to our understanding of crisis management in public administration by introducing the concept of crisis bureaucrats and identifying the dilemmas they face. By developing a theoretical framework, this study provides a foundation for further research on this new area of administrative policy and crisis management.