Merging for capacity and a capacity for merging: Politicians, citizens, and discourses in public administrations

It is assumed in many countries that the merger of municipalities can increase the capacity of their public administrations. This paper concentrates primarily on the activities preceding the implementation of the merger, by analyzing the ex-ante stages of the process. Using a case study, the paper analyzes the activities used to explain the merger initiative to citizens and to overcome any potential resistance. The analysis is developed using the Foucauldian concepts of discourse and technology of the self. The aim is to explain the way human resources can and should be managed during the implementation of a capacity-building initiative.