Municipal Amalgamations in Flanders: Key Findings and Policy Implications for Strengthening Local Governments

Expanded policy agendas: Municipal mergers created broader policy scopes, enabling larger projects but needing harmonization.

Improved policy and operational capacities: Mergers increased resources, personnel, and expertise, enhancing service delivery. Transition challenges remain in fully utilizing these capacities.

Cultural integration over structural integration: While structures integrated well, cultural integration among staff and leadership was a key challenge, impacting capacity and service quality.

Enhanced service quality perception: Improved leadership and expertise contributed to better-perceived service quality in some cases, but adaptation struggles highlight improvement areas.

Critical role of middle management: Middle management was a key factor in driving change and ensuring service delivery, necessitating targeted recruitment and training.

Employee well-being disparities: New hires showed higher satisfaction, while pre-merger staff faced decreased commitment and trust, needing support.