THE PRESIDENTIAL APPOINTMENT PROCESS, TASK ENVIRONMENT PRESSURES, ANDREGIONAL OFFICE CASE PROCESSING

This research examines the impact of changes in the presidential appoi ntment process on case processing in the regional offices of regulator y boards using the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) as a case in point. While controlling for regionally determined factors, this study investigates whether changes in the presidential appointment process influence clientele strategies and the decision-making routines of reg ional offices, The results show that changes in the presidential appoi ntment process, group strength, and unemployment differentially influe nce case-filtering and clientele filing behaviour in NLRB regional off ices generally, and particularly in those offices where clientele are weak or caseloads are low. Only changes in the presidential appointmen t process had a significant influence on both staff and clientele beha vior.