City Leaders Can Learn From Each Other

The policies of one city’s leaders can impact those who manage others. This trend, known as “policy tourism,” often includes those who lead within the public, private and non-profit sectors of a municipality.

There is no doubt that policy tourism is an important factor that promotes policy learning, business exchange and economic collaboration. These visitors arrive to discuss challenges and opportunities from the host city’s managers. Topics run the gamut from economic development to community building.

But what specifically impacts the decisions to make these visits? A recent study decided to seek out an answer.

Researchers looked at data that centered on various “policy tours” between major U.S. cities in the years spanning 2009 to 2016. Findings suggest that, in general, both experienced and newly appointed leaders tend to initiate policy tourisms. Also, the more liberal the government ideology and voter turnout in presidential elections of a city, the more likely that city will initiate a visit.

Additionally, city leaders are likely to seek out other cities that have similar levels of economic prosperity and vitality. They also choose ones that are geographically close. 

This research is useful because it gives us a clearer picture on how these learnings happens and to what degree. The results can help inform local government managers and policy makers, along with those who lead within the community (private businesses, non-profit), which cities to target to acquire information that can help their home community.

By working together, leaders can strengthen one another for populations across the nation.