Using the Delphi Technique to Search for Empirical Measures of Local Planning Agency Power

Authors

Amal K. Ali, Brock UniversityFollow

Abstract

This paper shows how the Delphi technique was used to conceptualize and operationalize local planning agency power. In the first of two Delphi studies, twelve scholars suggested four dimensions of agency power: legal authority, degree of control, relative autonomy, and capacity. In the second Delphi study, sixteen professional planners operationalized power dimensions proposed by the first Delphi study. The dimensions were operationalized in the context of Florida’s planning system. The proposed measures were tested empirically by reviewing Florida statutes, surveying municipal planning agencies, and conducting statistical analysis. This research presents important lessons learned for researchers interested in Delphi studies and proposes valid empirical measures of local planning agency power.

Keywords

Delphi Technique, Power, and Local Planning Agencies

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank professor Richard RuBino, Florida State University, for his great help and technical advice that enabled me to conduct and complete this research project successfully. I also thank professor Petra Doan, Florida State University, for her contribution to this study. Moreover, I appreciate the constructive comments I received from the editors/reviewers of The Qualitative Report.

Publication Date

12-1-2005

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

DOI

10.46743/2160-3715/2005.1829

Recommended APA Citation

Ali, A. K. (2005). Using the Delphi Technique to Search for Empirical Measures of Local Planning Agency Power. The Qualitative Report, 10(4), 718-744. https://doi.org/10.46743/2160-3715/2005.1829