This study has delved into the nuanced dynamics of active representation within the context of gender and individual bureaucratic behavior. It employed a qualitative cross-sectional observational...Show moreThis study has delved into the nuanced dynamics of active representation within the context of gender and individual bureaucratic behavior. It employed a qualitative cross-sectional observational case study among local officials in the municipality of Amsterdam, using semi- structured interviews to investigate two key research questions: "How does active representation manifest itself?" and "Does gender affect active representation at the level of individual bureaucrats?" To address these questions, Lim's (2006) concepts of direct and indirect sources of substantive effects of passive representation are used as a framework for the analysis on active representation. It appeared that gender slightly affects the behaviour among civil servants when representing clients of the same gender.Show less
The effect of bureaucratic representation on organisational performance has for decades been a subject of interest for scholars. Many scholars have debated the merits and effects of passive and...Show moreThe effect of bureaucratic representation on organisational performance has for decades been a subject of interest for scholars. Many scholars have debated the merits and effects of passive and active representation. Drawing on the literature, this thesis aims to add to existing research by focusing on the influence of bureaucratic representation on student performance in Dutch secondary schools. It will focus specifically on the dimension of gender and aims to research whether the gender of a teacher has an effect on the performance of students of the same gender. The study includes two moderator variables. Both the stratification of management and the gender division of the entire educational staff could have an effect on the relationship between teachers and student performance. This study was conducted using a Large-N design that includes all Dutch secondary schools. Data on Dutch secondary schools, collected by the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs, was used to perform a multilevel regression analysis to test the hypotheses. This study reveals that only the moderator variable ‘number of educational staff’ has an impact on the relationship between teachers and student performance. There was no support for the other hypotheses.Show less
