The object of analysis of this doctoral thesis is the managerial dimension of multilevel governance. The research, composed by three papers aims to pass in a gradual way through different stages of methodological knowledge. Indeed, the perspectives chosen are grounded in three streams of thought: Positivism, Realism and Critical Realism. The typology includes a literature review, a quantitative and a qualitative analysis. The mechanisms observed are: multilevel governance (MLG), inter-governmental relations (IGR) and the translation of programmes of government (Rose and Miller, 1992). The first work ‘A managerial vision on multilevel governance and inter-governmental relations: a literature review’ focuses on the literature highlighting the managerial mechanisms of MLG. In particular, it explores the overlapping definitions between MLG and IGR and the existence of performance indicators. The methodology (mainly grounded in the positivist stream of thought) relies on PRISMA, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (www.prisma-statement.org). This uses systematic methods to identify relevant researches throughout 27-item checklist and a four-phase flow diagram. The second work ‘Do temporary incentives to inter-municipal cooperation work?’ analyses whether temporary financial incentives to municipal cooperation lead to lasting outcomes. The outcomes are represented by the institutionalization of this cooperation typology. In particular, the paper analyses some possible variables that induce the consolidation of Inter – Municipal Associations. The methodology (mainly grounded in the philosophical school of Realism) refers to Realist Evaluation. The third work ‘Anti-corruption as a programme of government’ concerns the programmes of government and their translation processes through managerial instruments with particular attention to anti-corruption programme of government. The methodology combines ontological realism and epistemological subjectivism, relevant perspective in Critical Management Studies.
