Provincial governors and their role in local governance and development in the Jordanian context

Abstract

Local administration, in the modern-day world, positions the governor as playing a critical role in the overall operation of an efficient and productive governing body, as well as in satisfying and attaining economic and governorate social development.The present work examines governor administrative power alongside the administration framework and in attaining societal development in local governance in the Jordanian context. A self-administrated questionnaire was the tool implemented across a sample comprising 233 subjects. In an effort to address a number of considerations and concerns in this regard, a descriptive analysis was carried out, with the use of structural equation modelling alongside conformity factor analysis in an effort to provide a general fit for the measurement instrument. Findings revealed that within ministry branches, governors are seen to have only moderate power in an administrative regard, whereas with both municipalities council and governorate council, higher administrative power is granted. Moreover, a notable role is witnessed in regard to attaining economic and social development, although governors are inhibited from achieving complete efficiency as a result of contextual and cultural considerations.