PPPs and the Changing Public Sector Ethos: Case-Study Evidence from the Health and Local Authority Sectors

2003 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 481-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gail Hebson ◽  
Damian Grimshaw ◽  
Mick Marchington
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Traditional Values ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Private Finance Initiative ◽  
The Public ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Work Intensification ◽  
Contractual Approach

This article explores the extent to which a new contractual approach to delivering public services, through public private partnerships (PPPs), is transforming the traditional values underpinning the public sector ethos among both managers and workers. Drawing on two detailed case studies of PPPs - a Private Finance Initiative in the health sector and the outsourcing of housing benefit claims in the local government sector - we identify a range of new pressures impacting on five key elements of a traditional notion of the public sector ethos. Our findings demonstrate that the contractual relations of PPPs have led to a clear weakening of traditional notions of managerial accountability and bureaucratic behaviour, reflecting both a shift to new lines of accountability (private sector shareholders) and a vicious circle of monitoring and distrust between partner organizations, in place of the old faith in bureaucratic process. Among workers, certain traditional values - especially a concern for working in the public interest - continue to inform the way they identify with, and understand, their work in delivering public services. However, the cost cutting and work intensification associated with PPPs present a significant threat to these values.The article identifies examples of short-term resilience of the traditional public sector ethos, as well as developments that threaten its long-term survival.

scholarly journals Hospital funding and services in Queensland

2002 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 99
Author(s):  
Suzanne Surrao ◽  
Geri Taylor ◽  
Anne Turner ◽  
Ken Donald
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Cost Efficiency ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
National Standards ◽  
Hospital Funding ◽  
The Public ◽  
Government Sector ◽  
Queensland Health ◽  
Efficiency And Effectiveness

The Queensland health sector has been characterised as unique. The population has traditionally relied on the public sector to provide necessary hospital and other health services across the vast distances that make up the state, although there is a strong non-government sector also. More recently, and over the last 5-6 years stability and drive at themanagement level in the public sector has supported reform and progress, consistent with the national agenda. The Queensland reputation of cost efficiency and effectiveness in service delivery and outputs to meet national standards continues as this Chapter demonstrates.

Strengthening competitiveness of local public service providers in Germany

2006 ◽  
Vol 72 (4) ◽  
pp. 473-492 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christoph Reichard
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Local Government ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Good Practice ◽  
Market Mechanisms ◽  
The Public ◽  
Local Public Services ◽  
Government Sector

This article discusses the challenges for providers of local public services to adapt to increasing marketization and competition in the public sector. Based on some empirical evidence from local government in Germany, the article describes different adaptive measures in the past and shows the legal restrictions to strengthening performance and particularly competitiveness. Furthermore, the article presents some findings from good practice cases of local service providers in Germany who have successfully exposed themselves to market mechanisms. Finally, the article discusses observed results of increased competitiveness in the local government sector, with special regard to quality, efficiency and public employment. The article concludes with describing necessary elements of a competitive regime for public services and with some general reflections about the role of competition in the public sector.

scholarly journals Detailed cost of robotic-assisted surgery in the Australian public health sector: from implementation to a multi-specialty caseload

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate McBride ◽  
Daniel Steffens ◽  
Christina Stanislaus ◽  
Michael Solomon ◽  
Teresa Anderson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Fixed Costs ◽  
Tertiary Referral Hospital ◽  
Robotic Assisted ◽  
The Public ◽  
Robotic Assisted Surgery ◽  
Specific Implementation ◽  
Theatre Utilisation

Abstract Background A barrier to the uptake of robotic-assisted surgery (RAS) continues to be the perceived high costs. A lack of detailed costing information has made it difficult for public hospitals in particular to determine whether use of the technology is justified. This study aims to provide a detailed description of the patient episode costs and the contribution of RAS specific costs for multiple specialties in the public sector. Methods A retrospective descriptive costing review of all RAS cases undertaken at a large public tertiary referral hospital in Sydney, Australia from August 2016 to December 2018 was completed. This included RAS cases within benign gynaecology, cardiothoracic, colorectal and urology, with the total costs described utilizing various inpatient costing data, and RAS specific implementation, maintenance and consumable costs. Results Of 211 RAS patients, substantial variation was found between specialties with the overall median cost per patient being $19,269 (Interquartile range (IQR): $15,445 to $32,199). The RAS specific costs were $8828 (46%) made up of fixed costs including $4691 (24%) implementation and $2290 (12%) maintenance, both of which are volume dependent; and $1848 (10%) RAS consumable costs. This was in the context of 37% robotic theatre utilisation. Conclusions There is considerable variation across surgical specialties for the cost of RAS. It is important to highlight the different cost components and drivers associated with a RAS program including its dependence on volume and how it fits within funding systems in the public sector.

ISO 9001 and the public service: an investigation of the effect of the QMS on the quality of public service organizations

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jorge Armando López-Lemus
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Service Quality ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Public Services ◽  
The State ◽  
Iso 9001 ◽  
Knowledge Generation ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Public

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to identify the influence exerted by a quality management system (QMS) under ISO 9001: 2015 on the quality of public services organizations in Mexico. Design/methodology/approach The methodological design was quantitative, explanatory, observational and transversal, for which a sample of 461 public servants from the state of Guanajuato, Mexico was obtained. To test the hypotheses, a structural equation model (SEM) was developed through the statistical software Amos v.21. For the analysis of the data, software SPSS v.21 was used. Regarding the goodness and adjustment indices of the SEM (χ2 = 720.09, df = 320, CFI = 0.933, TLI = 0.926 and RMSEA = 0.05) which, therefore, proved to be acceptable. Findings According to the results obtained through the SEM model, the QMS under ISO 9001: 2015 is positively and significantly influenced tangible aspects (β1 = 0.79, p < 0.01), reliability (β2 = 0.90, p < 0.01), related to response quality (β3 = 0.93, p < 0.01), guarantees (β4 = 0.91, p < 0.01) and empathy (β5 = 0.88, p < 0.01) of the quality related to public services in Mexico. The study’s key contribution is that it discovered that implementing a QMS in accordance with the ISO 9001: 2015 standard has an impact on the quality of public services, with the most influential quality of response. Similarly, the assurance and dependability of service quality turned out to be important in providing public service quality. Research limitations/implications In this paper, the QMS was only evaluated as a variable that intervenes in the process of obtaining quality in public service under the ISO 9001 standard in its 2015 version. In this regard, the results’ trustworthiness is limited to the extent that the findings may be generalized in the state of Guanajuato, Mexico’s public service. As a result, the scientific community is left primarily focused on service quality to promote new future research. Practical implications The ISO 9001: 2015 standard’s QMS is one of the tools for success in both the commercial and government sectors. However, there are practical limitations, which focus on the time during which managers exercise their vision in the public sector: first, the dynamics that managers play in public policy; second, the length of time they have served in public office; and third, the interest of directors of public institutions to improve the quality of service provided by the government. Other practical consequences concern organizational culture and identity, public servant commitment, senior management or secretaries of government, as well as work and training. Originality/value The findings of this paper are important and valuable because they foster knowledge generation in the public sector through the ISO 9000 quality area. A model that permits the adoption and implementation of a QMS based on the ISO 9001: 2015 standard in public organizations that seek to provide quality in their services offered to the user is also presented to the literature. Similarly, the paper is important because there is currently insufficient research focusing on the variables examined in the context of public service in Mexico.

scholarly journals Public private partnership as a last resort for traditional public procurement

2006 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 299-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Viktorija Bojovic
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Developing Economies ◽  
Public Procurement ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
The Public ◽  
Management Culture ◽  
Complex Projects

This paper discusses recent changes in the way public services are delivered A marked increase in the cooperation between the public and private sector in the realization of complex projects, mostly concerning development of infrastructure, is the main characteristic of present-day developing economies. The creation of new, innovative agreements is driven by the limitation of public funds and an ever-growing demand for an increase in the quality of public services. Looking upon the western economies experience alternatives to the traditional public sector procurement are identified in the public/private partnership. The public/private partnership can be seen as one component in the rearrangement of the public sector with a management culture that focuses on the citizen or customer. Also included in this are accountability for results, investigation of a wide variety of alternative service delivery mechanisms, and competition between public and private bodies for contracts to deliver services consistent with cost recovery and the achievement of value for money. The partnership can be realized through an array of models and in this paper priority is given to the DBFO (design-build-finance-operate) model, due to its importance in implementation. The DBFO model is considered to be a synonym for the public/private partnership, as it is the most suitable for complex projects and gains the most benefits.

scholarly journals Corporate succession practices: A public sector perspective

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 441-446
Author(s):  
Nomalinge Amelia Pita ◽  
Chengedzai Mafini ◽  
Manilall Dhurup
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Succession Planning ◽  
Quantitative Research ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Turnover Intentions ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Service Employees ◽  
Intentions To Leave ◽  
The Public

In today’s globally competitive and modern environments, organisational future plans often fail due to the lack of succession planning. Literature has shown that in most public services, very little is done to transfer employee skills before they leave the organisation, which largely is attributed to the lack of proper corporate succession planning. This study examined the association between corporate succession planning practices, internal succession barriers and intentions to leave within a public service in South Africa. The study was inspired by the absence of documented evidence of corporate succession planning initiatives, the barriers to succession planning and turnover intentions of employees in the public sector in the South African context. The study is located within a quantitative research paradigm in which a three-section structured questionnaire was administered to a sample of 243 public service employees. Two factors; namely, replacement planning and employee development/grooming were extracted using exploratory factor analysis. The Pearson correlation coefficient showed that corporate succession planning practices and internal succession barriers are negatively related to intentions to leave in the public service. Regression analysis showed that replacement planning and employee grooming are predictors of intention to quit. The results of the study are significant in that they facilitate the development as well as the effective implementation of succession planning initiatives that enable public services to improve human resource practices and counter any existing barriers to internal succession.

Exodus of Clinicians from Public Sector to Non-Clinical Practice in Private Sector in Dar es Salaam Tanzania; Exploring the Drivers

2020 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-58
Author(s):  
Elice Temu ◽  
Gasto Frumence ◽  
Nathanael Sirili
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Practice ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Health Workforce ◽  
Health Sector ◽  
Dar Es Salaam ◽  
Medical Doctors ◽  
The Public

Background: Globally, shortage of clinicians health workforce is among the major challenges facing the health systems of many countries including Tanzania. Migration of medical doctors from clinical practice to non-clinical practice partly contributes to this challenge. This study aimed to explore factors influencing Medical Doctors’ decision to migrate from clinical practice in the public sector to non-clinical practice in the private sector in Dar es Salaam Tanzania.Methods: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted using 12 in-depth interviews with medical doctors working in the private sector but formerly worked in the public health sector. Interviews were digitally recorded, transcribed verbatim and thematically analyzed.Results: Three main themes emerged; health system-level drivers that has three sub-themes, namely poor work environment, heavy workload due to shortage of clinicians and underfunded public health sector; individual-level drivers, which include four sub-themes: Age, area of specialization, marital status and empathy to patients; and external environment drivers consisting of two sub-themes: peer pressure and community culture.Conclusion: Improving the work environment through increased funding will partly address the main health system drivers underlying migration from the clinical practice. Furthermore, nurturing junior doctors to be enthusiastic and adapting to cultural shocks can partly help to address the individual and external drivers. Keywords: Shortage, Medical Doctors, Clinicians, Physicians, migration, health workforce, Tanzania Clinical Practice, Non-Clinical Practice.

New Organisational Culture for New Public E-Procurement

2013 ◽  
pp. 73-86
Author(s):  
Pietro Previtali
Keyword(s):  
Public Sector ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Organisational Culture ◽  
Striking Feature ◽  
Market Exchange ◽  
Historical Events ◽  
The Public ◽  
The People ◽  
New Public

Effective e-government involves rethinking organizations and processes, and changing behavior so that public services are delivered more efficiently to the people who need to use them. But the nature of the public sector is not a simple one. Lots of variables have to be considered: the number of entities involved in public sector procurement, the complexity of relationships among them, historical events that impacted on the public sector and different tensions between central and local parts of the public sector. In general, the most striking feature is the sheer complexity of the public sector. In the author’s opinion, it required a reconceptualisation of market exchange, evolving the procurement scenario from competition to collaboration. Nowadays public (e) procurement is still an under-researched area which has not spread out yet. Therefore, the aim of the chapter is to conduct a reflection to identify the features of purchasing and supply in the public sector and its further developments toward forms of collaboration and group purchasing.

Organisational Challenges of Implementing E-Business in the Public Services

2011 ◽  
pp. 2231-2252
Author(s):  
Francesca Andreescu
Keyword(s):  
United Kingdom ◽  
Public Sector ◽  
Private Sector ◽  
Economic Activity ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Geographic Information ◽  
Information Industry ◽  
The Public ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
New Strategy

Underpinning £136 billion of economic activity in the United Kingdom, Britain’s National Mapping Agency is a commercialising public sector organisation having trading fund status and existing in the intersection of two different spheres—the public and the private. Recognised as a leading participant in the geographic information industry, within which it is forging partnerships with key private sector companies, the organisation has enthusiastically grasped e-business as an all-embracing phenomenon and implemented a new strategy that transformed the way it did business. Drawing on longitudinal data gathered over a period of four years, this article explores the processes of strategic and organisational transformation engendered by e-business implementation in this organisation and discusses the successful elements, as well as some of the challenges to its change efforts.

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