Concluding discussion: key themes in the (possible) move to co-production and co-creation in public management

The articles in this special issue add to a rapidly developing literature on co-creation in public services management. This final article focuses what might otherwise be a wide ranging discussion by addressing core themes proposed in the special issue’s introduction. We consider:<br /><br /><ul><li>basic definitions of co-production and co-creation; the claim of a possible move from lower order co-production to higher level co-creation;</li><br /><li>the link with different models of strategic management, why strategic management is important and which models are promising;</li><br /><li>the potential role of digitalisation in the move to co-production and co-creation;</li><br /><li>the possible link with co-creation informed innovation which contributes to the pursuit of public value outcomes.</li></ul><br />We examine the potential role of strategic management along with the nature of any ‘metagovernance’ of associated policy networks. The conclusion makes general observations and considers future research direction.