Does the top manager’s profile influence sustainable development in local governments? Evidence from Brazil

This study analyzes the influence of the top manager’s profile on sustainable development in local governments. In this research, we investigate 184 municipalities of the State of Ceará, northeastern Brazil, from 2009 to 2016. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and econometric models estimated by FGLS method for panel data. The results show that sustainable development is influenced by the following top manager’s attributes: age, socioeconomic status, experience, education, and political orientation. From a theoretical perspective, the study provides evidence that the Upper Echelons Theory is consistent and applicable in the public sector, and expands the theory by including political orientation, which emerged as a relevant manager’s attribute.