HIERARCHICAL CONTROLS, PROFESSIONAL NORMS, LOCAL CONSTITUENCIES, AND BUDGET MAXIMIZATION - AN ANALYSIS OF UNITED-STATES-FOREST-SERVICE PLANNING DECISIONS

Theory: Multiple theories of bureaucratic behavior are integrated for this study. Hypotheses: Planning decisions made by the U.S. Forest Ser vice are a function of hierarchical controls, bureaucratic conservatis m, the professional/policy orientation of agency officials, the streng th of local constituency groups, and officials' alleged desire to maxi mize budgets. Data: Output levels contained in a set of Forest-plan al ternatives and a survey of the perceptions of approximately 1,090 agen cy officials involved in the planning process for a sample of 44 natio nal forests. Results: Pressures for the status quo and the activities of local amenity coalitions were more important than hierarchical cont rols from Congress, OMB (Office of Management and Budget), and the nat ional office of the U.S. Forest Service.