Capability versus efficiency: contracting out park and road services in Norway

2016 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 474-487 ◽  
Author(s):  
Merethe Dotterud Leiren ◽  
Andrej Christian Lindholst ◽  
Ingjerd Solfjeld ◽  
Thomas Barfoed Randrup
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Road Maintenance ◽  
Contracting Out ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Theoretical Perspectives ◽  
Service Production ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Local Road

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide insights into the extent of, rationales for and outcomes of contracting out in the local road and park sectors in Norway. For understanding the use of contracting out in local governments, it highlights the relevance of the capability perspective in organisational literature as an alternative to the standard efficiency perspective. Design/methodology/approach – The paper draws on four expert interviews and survey data gathered from park and road managers in Norwegian municipalities in 2015. Findings – The study suggests that Norwegian municipalities primarily contract out park and road maintenance services when they do not have the capability to perform these services themselves. Cost concerns are also highlighted but of less importance. Moreover, lack of competition renders the use of contracting out as a potentially costly and less satisfying arrangement for organising service delivery. Research limitations/implications – While the scope is limited to one country, Norway, future research may benefit from the theoretical perspectives, which have been used. Practical implications – Policy guidelines should support a flexible use of various arrangements for service provision. Originality/value – The dominating view among proponents of marketisation in the public sector suggests that contracting out to private contractors is undertaken to enhance economic efficiency compared to keeping service production in-house. This study suggests that this is not always the case – even in “most likely” sectors such as park and road maintenance.

The identity crisis of sustainable development

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 4-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Catalin Ratiu ◽  
Beverlee B. Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Identity Crisis ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Larger Sample ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – There are many different conceptualizations to sustainable development and these different approaches may have led to confusion amongst the public. The purpose of this paper is to explore the identities of the term and how the confused identity may be leading to problems for sustainable development efforts. Design/methodology/approach – The design is exploratory, using both secondary and primary data to understand the different sustainable development concepts. Findings – There is no consistent understanding or use of the term “sustainable development” among various groups. Research limitations/implications – Future research should include a larger sample that is more representative of people from different backgrounds and geographical areas. Practical implications – The public is generally willing to support only projects that it understands. Without a clear understanding of sustainable development, the public will be less inclined to support these efforts. Originality/value – This study examines the perceptions and understandings of the term by the general public representing different generations.

scholarly journals Innovation and cross-functional teams

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 84-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel Marasquini Stipp ◽  
Márcio Lopes Pimenta ◽  
Daniel Jugend
Keyword(s):  
Single Case ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Incremental Innovation ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Tax Management ◽  
Functional Teams ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The aim of this paper is to characterize how innovation may happen through cross-functional teams (CFT) in an organization of the public sector. Design/methodology/approach A case study helped to characterize several behavior patterns, team structures and respective links with generating innovation in internal processes and public answering contexts. Findings The results highlight that formal-temporary teams present a higher capacity to generate incremental innovation in products, whereas permanent-informal teams have a higher capacity to generate innovation in the internal processes and public answering contexts. Research limitations/implications The limitations of this research relate to the fact that this is a single case study, and although it is an important case to examine innovation and CFTs, by its very nature, it is not possible to extend and generalize the obtained data to other organizations. The evaluation of its propositions was merely qualitative, and future research is needed to validate its characteristics. Practical implications Several settings of CFTs are presented, as well as their ability to generate different types of innovation, such as the computerization of documents, petitions and papers, which decreases the time to answer the taxpayer. Moreover, CFTs can help to create products, such as computer programs that can be used not only locally but also in several public organizations related to tax management. Originality/value The field research provides the perceptions of the respondents regarding CFT characteristics that can lead to specific types of innovation, as well as the types of products or services that can be generated by these processes.

Why local governments rarely use PPPs in their road development projects

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick Janssen ◽  
Robin de Graaf ◽  
Marnix Smit ◽  
Hans Voordijk
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Local Level ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Government Employees ◽  
Relative Significance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Infrastructure Provision ◽  
Road Development ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
Local Road

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to identify barriers that prevent local governments from applying PPPs in their road development projects. Design/methodology/approach – Based on insights from a literature review, interviews were held with relevant staff to identify barriers. These were verified and their relative significance was determined through the use of a questionnaire, before being reflected upon and compared with literature findings. Findings – The research identified 37 barriers to local governments using PPPs in road development projects and showed that four barriers consistently stand out. First, the application of PPPs requires local governments to adapt their current working methods, which amounts to a large impediment to local governments applying PPPs. Second, local government employees believe that applying PPPs might effectively exclude local contractors from involvement in projects. Finally, local governments experience the whole PPP approach (the third barrier) and the PPP contract (the fourth) as overly complicated. Practical implications – To increase the use of PPPs for infrastructure provision at the local level, one has to focus on removing dominant local barriers as identified in this research. Originality/value – Although local-level PPPs have seen increasing interest, this is one of the first studies paying attention to the barriers to using PPPs for local road development projects.

scholarly journals The future of auditing research in the public sector

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
David C. Hay ◽  
Carolyn J. Cordery
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Research Opportunities ◽  
The Public ◽  
What Works ◽  
The Future ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to review opportunities for future research about auditing in the public sector.Design/methodology/approachThe paper presents the viewpoints of two researchers, supported by research that is cited in the paper.FindingsPublic sector auditing research has grown considerably. The authors expect further growth. The authors debunk some myths about public sector auditing. The authors suggest areas where there are opportunities for research. In particular, researchers can examine a broader range of jurisdictions, investigate differences among countries and develop suggestions about what works best.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper presents the views of the authors.Practical implicationsThere are opportunities for further research across different jurisdictions.Originality/valueThe paper makes a contribution by outlining research opportunities.

Intellectual capital in action: evidence from Italian local governments

2016 ◽  
Vol 17 (4) ◽  
pp. 696-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Manes Rossi ◽  
Francesca Citro ◽  
Marco Bisogno
Keyword(s):  
Intellectual Capital ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Principal Component ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Structural Capital ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Research Stream

Purpose Intellectual capital (IC) is attracting increasing attention from scholars and practitioners in the private sector, while research in the public sector is still in its embryonic stage, especially in regards to local governments. The purpose of this paper is to fill this gap by channelling conceptual and empirical findings from the large body of IC literature. Design/methodology/approach The research investigates IC in action in the local government domain. A survey has been carried out involving both managers and politicians of all Italian local governments (ILGs) with more than 40,000 inhabitants. In order to define the constituents of each IC dimension perceived by ILGs, principal component analysis was used in investigating the results. Findings Results highlights how IC components are perceived in ILGs: human capital is a combination of aptitudes in pursuing target performances, sense of ownership and motivations; relational capital is a combination of values, relationships and acts; structural capital includes procedures and routines supporting the decision-making process, the ability of achieving objectives and handling changes. Research limitations/implications While the research findings are limited due to being based on a survey in a single country, they present opportunities for future research regarding further testing of how IC is perceived in LGs in different context. The conclusion could be beneficial also for standard setters, providing a path to support the IC disclosure by LGs. Originality/value The paper contributes to a narrow strand of research – IC in LGs – adding new knowledge in “IC in action” research stream.

scholarly journals Facilities management innovation in public-private collaborations

2015 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 185-203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Nardelli ◽  
Jesper Ole Jensen ◽  
Susanne Balslev Nielsen
Keyword(s):  
Local Governments ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Facilities Management ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Innovation Research ◽  
Collaborative Innovation ◽  
Energy Service ◽  
Goals And Objectives

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to investigate how facilities management (FM) units navigate Energy Service Company (ESCO) collaborations, here defined as examples of public collaborative innovation within the context of FM. The driving motivation is to inform and inspire internal FM units of local institutions on how to navigate and manage collaboration of different, intra- and inter-organisational actors throughout ESCO projects. Design/methodology/approach – A deductive research methodology was applied based on the first ten ESCO projects in Danish municipalities between 2008 and 2012. Findings – A model of FM roles in FM public innovation is proposed. The internal FM unit coordinates between clients and end users by acting as translator and demonstrator and collaborates with the ESCO company to implement the energy renovation (FM processor). Research limitations/implications – The data were collected from a limited sample of ESCO collaborations in Denmark. Future research should thus investigate collaborative innovation in ESCO (and other forms of private–public) collaborations outside of Denmark. Practical implications – Not only should FM units clarify what different stakeholders expect from an ESCO collaboration, but also they should translate stakeholders’ expectations into actual goals and objectives; process them together with the ESCO company; demonstrate their execution to all stakeholders throughout the process, not just when closing the collaboration. Originality/value – This paper contributes to FM innovation research by exploring FM innovation in the public sector and by depicting the coordinating role of local governments’ internal FM units engaging in public–private collaborative innovation.

Opportunities for auditing research: back to our interdisciplinary roots

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 336-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Hay
Keyword(s):  
Developing Countries ◽  
Corporate Governance ◽  
Interdisciplinary Research ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review potential areas for interdisciplinary research in auditing. Approach The paper reflects on the relevance of the findings from auditing research, and discusses an example from medical research. The medical example highlights how unexpected results can lead to surprising research findings. The paper then examines the areas in which further auditing research should be most valuable. Findings Auditing research is generally based on practical problems. It can be qualitative, quantitative, use mixed methods or be interdisciplinary. There are examples of each of these, including interdisciplinary research that has contributed to the auditing literature. The paper describes areas in which future research in auditing is likely to be valuable. These include research in developing countries, smaller entities and other settings that have not been widely researched; research in the public sector, including the impact of armchair auditors; research about the place of auditing in corporate governance; and research about the function of auditing in confirming earlier unaudited announcements. Practical implications Standard setters are becoming more aware of research and more likely to make evidence-based decisions about auditing standards. Originality/value The paper evaluates existing research and provides suggestions for future research.

Knowledge risk management in the public sector: insights into a Swedish municipality

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 717-735 ◽  
Author(s):  
Susanne Durst ◽  
Birgitta Lindvall ◽  
Guido Bruns
Keyword(s):  
Risk Management ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Single Case Study ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public

Purpose This study aims to contribute to the understanding of knowledge risk management (KRM) and a range of related knowledge management practices in the public sector through a case study conducted in a Swedish municipality. Design/methodology/approach A single case study was conducted in a Swedish municipality involving two offices. Data were collected through an online survey, group interviews and group exercises involving members of the offices who represented different functions, roles and age groups. Findings The findings underline the need for a systematic approach to KRM for being in a position to continuously deliver the municipality’s products and services, specifically against the knowledge challenges ahead. In addition, the authors identified a number of internal and external factors that are challenging KRM. Research limitations/implications Data were collected from a single case study, to generalize the findings future research should study additional local governments. Practical implications A holistic KRM framework is proposed intended to help managers tackle present and future challenges in the public sector. Originality/value The study contributes to the underdeveloped field of KRM by providing insights into KRM and KRM-related activities found in a Swedish municipality.

Promotion, turnover and preemptive wage offers

Humanomics ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 133-138
Author(s):  
Walter Block ◽  
Robert A. Lawson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Market Failure ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Enterprise System ◽  
Free Enterprise ◽  
Main Method ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Cast Doubt ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe reason for writing the paper is to cast doubt on the claim that the informational asymmetries uncovered by Bernhardt and Scoones constitute a market failure.Design/methodology/approachThe main method used is to quote these authors, and then critically comment upon their views. The theoretical scope of the paper is the premise that markets are efficient, effective and ethical.FindingsIt was found in the course of the work that Bernhardt and Scoones were in error in their contentions.Research limitations/implicationsSuggestions for future research; this paper is but the tip of the iceberg in terms of claims that markets perform badly, and are hence in need of governmental rectification. This entire literature cries out for more critical analysis.Practical implicationsThe public policy and practical implications emanating from this paper is that laissez‐faire capitalism is the best way to organize an economy.Originality/valueWhat is new in the paper is that the work of Bernhardt and Scoones on informational asymmetries has not before been subject to critical analysis from the perspective of advocates of the free enterprise system. This is valuable, in that, when claims are subject to critique, they become more reliable. It is only through dialogue and debate of this sort that one can get that in closer to the truth.

Managerial performance of Palestinian local authorities

2007 ◽  
Vol 1 (4) ◽  
pp. 350-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nidal Rashid Sabri ◽  
Rania Yaser Jaber
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Public Official ◽  
Job Descriptions ◽  
Internal Auditor ◽  
Managerial Performance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public ◽  
Municipal Employees ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThis study aims to analyze major concerns facing the Palestinian local governments in order to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency in managing local governments.Design/methodology/approachA special questionnaire was developed to collect the perception of the municipalities' officials; thus qualitative data analysis has been done to analyze the answers.FindingsThe study found that the efficiency of local government is still limited in the Palestinian municipalities, including the absence of an internal auditor, the absence of written job descriptions for municipality functions, the weakness participation of the public. The study pointed out that the major‐managerial problems are similar to other experiences of emerging countries such as the undefined local‐central relation, the low participation and involvement of citizens in municipalities' activities and plans, and the lack of existing transparency aspects.Practical implicationsThere is a need for open public‐official sessions of municipal councils and the need for periodical meetings for senior officials with the Mayer of the municipality; in addition, there is a need to conduct annual periodical evaluation for measuring the performance of municipal employees.Originality/valueThis paper presented the features of the local‐government performance in Palestine in order to enhance the management efficiency of local governments and enhance the contribution of the related groups of communities.

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