| 1. |
- Alexius, Susanna, et al.
(författare)
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Mission(s) impossible? Configuring values in the governance of state-owned enterprises
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558 .- 1758-6666. ; 28:4-5, s. 286-306
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to contribute to theory of hybrid organizations, with particular regard to state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and their ability to contribute to sustaining value pluralism in the public sector.Design/methodology/approach – The paper offers a qualitative case concerning ongoing performance management reforms in the corporate governance of SOEs in Sweden, which is analyzed using theory on valuation and evaluation.Findings – It is found that the number of non-financial values is reduced with reference to categorization. Attempts are made to change the perception of the potential value conflict at hand between financial and non-financial missions by adding a number of neutralizing “meta values” such as transparency and efficiency to the performance language in use. There is a risk of mission drift as a clear hierarchization of values, prioritizing financial values, is created and sustained in “investment teams.” Processes, standards and dialogues are all dominated by an economic logic despite formal aspirations to balance the values at stake. The few remaining non-financial values are translated into economic language aiming for a commensuration of the performance of the different missions. In addition, the ambition of the public policy assignment may be further reduced by de-coupling.Originality/value – The paper suggests a novel approach to hybrid organizations in general and SOEs in particular when exploring how the values underlying complex missions are configured in “value work” performed by government officials in Swedish government offices. Such analyses of value work in the micro-practice of hybrids offer a more fine-grained understanding of organizational dilemmas that are commonly acknowledged, but more seldom explained in empirical detail.
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| 2. |
- Almqvist, Roland, et al.
(författare)
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Towards the next generation of public management : A study of management control and communication in the Swedish Armed Forces
- 2011
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - : Emerald. - 0951-3558 .- 1758-6666. ; 24:2, s. 122-145
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This paper aims to present an empirical case where fundamental changes in the environment have forced an organization to re‐evaluate its management control systems and possibly search for destabilizing supporting routines in order to unlearn the established ways of measuring and controlling within the organization. The problem, however, is that organizational technologies often work in the other direction, i.e. they promote stability in organizational routines. The paper seeks to increase understanding regarding the importance of destabilizing, or, as the authors like to call them, sensebreaking activities within organizations that are present in rapidly changing environments.Design/methodology/approach – The authors used multiple sources and multiple techniques to collect data; interviews with managers, participation in meetings, and document analysis such as annual reports, pamphlets, speeches and Swedish Armed Forces's (SAF's) web site.Findings – The study is clearly presented in a design‐oriented way. The benefits, however, are that it illustrates that the available models take for granted that the organization has a mission that is accepted. When the mission is debated, the focus and practice of management control falls into pieces. Also, when the ontology of the organization is debated, flexibility does not suffice. The proposition is that it is through sensebreaking that a reflective position may be held. That is, a position where everything may be questioned and that this questioning never stops.Originality/value – The study of the SAF could probably be labeled a study of an extreme case. Extreme cases facilitate theory building because the dynamics being examined tend to be more visible than they might be in other contexts. The caveat, however, is that this particular case study risks becoming anecdotal since the SAF is, per definition, one of a kind. The paper's argument, however, is that the SAF acts as an illustration of the limits (and possibilities) of management control theory and how it is framed as a technology in a milieu that is neither relatively stable nor stable, but rather under extraordinary pressure for change.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Does patient-centred care mean risk aversion and risk ignoring? : Unintended consequences of NPM reforms
- 2012
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Limited. - 0951-3558 .- 1758-6666. ; 25:4, s. 260-271
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This article aims to describe and analyze the results of efforts to improve patient-centered care (PCC) in psychiatric healthcare.Design/methodology/approach – Using the methodology of a qualitative case study, the authors studied three Swedish child and adolescent psychiatric care (CAP) units in order to describe how patient-centered actions are performed. They conducted 62 interviews, made 11 half-day observations, and shadowed employees for two days.Findings – The article shows that the increased focus on accountability for unit performance and medical risks results in unintended consequences. The patient’s medical risk is transformed to a personal risk for the psychiatrist and the resource risk is transformed to a personal risk for the unit manager. Patients become risk objects for both psychiatrists and unit managers, which creates an alignment between them to try to send patients elsewhere. New public management (NPM) reforms may consequently lead to the institutionalization of unintended healthcare practices.Practical implications – The article shows that accountability pressure to reduce patient risk may create new risks for patients.Originality/value – The study uses theoretical concepts of risk tradeoffs (risk substitution and risk transformation), which were developed for the macro level, to explain the unintended consequences of NPM reforms at the micro level.
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| 4. |
- Argento, Daniela, et al.
(författare)
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Interactions fostering trust and contract combinations in local public services provision
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558 .- 1758-6666. ; 28:4-5, s. 335-351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between trust and contract in the context of externalized local public services provision. Design/methodology/approach - A multi-theoretical framework is used to analyse different combinations of control mechanisms (i.e. trust and contract) with reference to three cases of externalized water service provision in Estonia consisting of inter-organizational relationships between local governments and water companies with different ownership structures (public, private and mixed public-private). Findings - The relationship between trust and contract, which can either be substitutes or complements, or eventually erode each other, is contingent upon the capacity of interacting individuals (and related organizations) to keep interests aligned in water services provision. Originality/value - The relationship between trust and contract is analysed by considering the interactions between key actors within the underlying governance setting.
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| 5. |
- Argento, Daniela, et al.
(författare)
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Interactions fostering trust and contract combinations in local public services provision
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.. - 0951-3558. ; 28:4-5, s. 335-351
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between trust and contract in the context of externalized local public services provision. Design/methodology/approach - A multi-theoretical framework is used to analyse different combinations of control mechanisms (i.e. trust and contract) with reference to three cases of externalized water service provision in Estonia consisting of inter-organizational relationships between local governments and water companies with different ownership structures (public, private and mixed public-private). Findings - The relationship between trust and contract, which can either be substitutes or complements, or eventually erode each other, is contingent upon the capacity of interacting individuals (and related organizations) to keep interests aligned in water services provision. Originality/value - The relationship between trust and contract is analysed by considering the interactions between key actors within the underlying governance setting.
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| 6. |
- Arvidson, Malin, et al.
(författare)
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The social return on investment in community befriending
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558. ; 27:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: This paper illustrates the social and economic impact of services delivered by a small charity to families affected by post-natal depression (PND). It highlights challenges and offers insights to the meaning of ‘value for money’ for commissioners of public health services. Design/methodology/approach: The analysis is based on a social return on investment (SROI) approach. Evidence was gathered from quantitative data, interviews and a literature review. The analysis examined short, medium and long term effects, and attributed monetary values to social outcomes. Findings: The service provides a return of £6.50 for every £1 invested. The analysis established outcomes for service users and long term impacts on families and children. It illustrated how these services are important in achieving more appropriate service responses, providing value for money to the NHS. Research limitations/implications: There is no common accepted method for identifying financial values for a number of the benefits identified in this analysis. By being transparent in how the analysis was carried out the paper encourages further critical thinking in this area. Practical implications: Engaging commissioners in this type of analysis may assist them in the use of economic evaluation as an input to decision making. Originality/value: The paper contributes to our understanding of ‘social value’ and ‘value for money’ in the context of public services. This is of importance given the Social Value Act and ‘Open Public Services’ reform are being implemented in the UK.
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| 7. |
- Bartocci, Luca, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a hybrid logic of participatory budgeting
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558 .- 1758-6666. ; 32:1, s. 65-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PurposeParticipatory budgeting (PB) is considered a suitable tool for supporting and promoting citizen engagement in government work. Previous studies of PB have deeply investigated its design and effects, but paid little attention to the underlying logics of adopting and implementing PB. The purpose of this paper is to, accordingly, investigate the development over time of the institutional logics of PB and attempt to explain their effect on PB.Design/methodology/approachUsing a longitudinal multiple case study design, this research analyzes the evolution of institutional logics over time and across five municipalities in Italy. The analysis integrates documents with interviews conducted at two times to investigate the evolution of PB logics.FindingsThe development of PB is characterized by the spread of two emerging logics—i.e. managerial and community-building logics—that replace or coexist with the traditional political logic. Indeed, these different logics can coexist within governments, with different degrees of conflict or coexistence, resulting in what can be considered a hybrid logic.Research limitations/implicationsAlthough the number of examined cases is limited, this research elaborates an original conceptual approach and provides new insights that could help in better designing and implementing PB.Originality/valueThis research builds knowledge of PB by shedding light on its different logics, linking them to diverse specific models of PB and exploring their changes over time.
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| 8. |
- Bartocci, Luca, et al.
(författare)
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Towards a hybrid logic of participatory budgeting
- 2018
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - : Emerald Group Publishing Ltd.. - 0951-3558. ; 32:1, s. 65-79
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose Participatory budgeting (PB) is considered a suitable tool for supporting and promoting citizen engagement in government work. Previous studies of PB have deeply investigated its design and effects, but paid little attention to the underlying logics of adopting and implementing PB. The purpose of this paper is to, accordingly, investigate the development over time of the institutional logics of PB and attempt to explain their effect on PB. Design/methodology/approach Using a longitudinal multiple case study design, this research analyzes the evolution of institutional logics over time and across five municipalities in Italy. The analysis integrates documents with interviews conducted at two times to investigate the evolution of PB logics. Findings The development of PB is characterized by the spread of two emerging logics—i.e. managerial and community-building logics—that replace or coexist with the traditional political logic. Indeed, these different logics can coexist within governments, with different degrees of conflict or coexistence, resulting in what can be considered a hybrid logic. Research limitations/implications Although the number of examined cases is limited, this research elaborates an original conceptual approach and provides new insights that could help in better designing and implementing PB. Originality/value This research builds knowledge of PB by shedding light on its different logics, linking them to diverse specific models of PB and exploring their changes over time.
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| 9. |
- Björk, Lisa, 1981, et al.
(författare)
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Measuring capacity to perform across local government services – managers’ perceptions
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558. ; 27:1, s. 26-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This study aims at developing a measure that can be used to evaluate organizational capacity to perform across local government jurisdictions, using operational managers' own assessments. Design/methodology/approach – The “management matters” literature that links organizational capacity to service performance is far from reaching any consensus on how to operationalize organizational capacity. In this study, over 400 operational managers were asked, at two different time points and in thirty different local government departments, about what opportunities they have to fulfill their responsibilities and about their perceptions of service performance. The data are factor analyzed, and the proportion of higher level variance of the resulting capacity measure is explored. Findings – Organizational capacity to perform represents a consistent measure that covers essential aspects of the managerial assignment and is empirically distinct, yet positively related to the managers' perceptions of service performance. Results further show that up to 12 percent of the variance in organizational capacity to perform can be attributed to the organization in which managers work. Practical implications – A service-neutral measure of organizational capacity to perform should be useful to strategic managers in organizations as guidance for resource allocation, and for the design of solid organizational structures and support systems for operational managers. Originality/value – Recent public management research indicates that rationalistic management models are often inadequately grounded in the day-to-day practices of operative managerial work. The construct of organizational capacity to perform presented in this study could be a valuable instrument that can bridge this strategic-operational disconnect and provide an insider perspective of the organizational prerequisites that underpin any public service achievement.
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| 10. |
- Brorström, Sara, 1982
(författare)
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Implementing innovative ideas in a city: good solutions on paper but not in practice?
- 2015
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Ingår i: International Journal of Public Sector Management. - 0951-3558. ; 28:3, s. 166-180
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose – This paper examines innovation implementation in the public sector. The purpose of this paper is to analyse the “black box” of implementation of innovations and then answer questions of hindrances and opportunities when it comes to implementing innovative ideas in the public sector. Design/methodology/approach – The specific context in this case is a city organization that received funding from the Delegation for Sustainable Cities to put six innovative ideas into practice in a city district. The data collection methods consisted of interviews and observations of meetings where the implementation phase was discussed. Findings – The findings imply that innovative ideas that seemed best on paper often proved to be difficult to implement. The possibility of funding, for example, provided a reason to think “outside the box”, but the system for presenting the ideas in order to obtain the funding was time consuming. The resulting delay meant that, by the time the applications were evaluated, the submitted ideas were no longer necessarily the best available. The findings also imply that one important role of public organizations in implementing innovations is to facilitate the response by its users, here the inhabitants. Research limitations/implications – When discussing innovations and implementation the time aspects is a limitation, the future might imply other effects than the ones visible here. Practical implications – Public sector managers possibilities of organizing to be more innovative can be discussed. From a management perspective focus might thus be on facilitate the implementation of the innovation, since the demand of the new solutions might be other than expected. Social implications – The users of public sector innovations, here the inhabitants, might demand other things that expected, which highlights the need of an ongoing dialogue between city managers and inhabitants. Originality/value – The methodology of following projects in real time proved to be a unique approach for understanding the ”black box” of implementing innovative ideas. The existing paradoxes of managing public sector organizations are thus illustrated.
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