Governance and Design Issues of Shared Service Centers

Author(s):  
M. Janssen

In the current economic climate, public administrations are looking for ways to improve their service provision and to increase their efficiency. A great long-term public sector concern is the need for restructuring structures and processes to improve efficiency and effectiveness (Beynon-Davies & Williams, 2003). Shared service centers (SSCs) are gaining importance in public administration as a means to innovate, reduce costs, and increase service levels (Janssen & Joha, 2004b). The SSC is a business model in which selected functions are concentrated into a semi-autonomous business unit with management structures that promote efficiency, value generation, and cost savings in a manner akin to companies competing in an open market (Bergeron, 2002). By unbundling and centralizing activities, the basic premise for a SSC seems to be that services provided by one department or agency can be provided to others with relatively few efforts. Within public agencies there is a debate about which kind of services are suitable to share, how to obtain the expected benefits and how to organize SSCs. Currently, SSC implementations include several, relatively easy-to-standardize, functions like the concentration of administrative processes for handling human resources and procurement for all ministries, and the maintenance and control of information systems of several local agencies in a SSC (e.g., http://www.sharedservicesbijdeoverheid.nl/). Clearly, there is no one-size-fits-all business model that incorporates all benefits and has no negative aspects. The goal of this research is to explore the concept of shared service centers and to present an overview of critical research issues with respect to its governance and design. The structure of the article is as follows. In the following section, we discuss the theoretical background. Thereafter we present the main drivers for shared service centers. Section four provides an overview of the critical research issues and in section five we present future trends. Finally in section six, conclusions are drawn.

2006 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. N. Van der Linde ◽  
A. L. Boessenkool ◽  
C. J. Jooste

Purpose: Shared services is a viable business model that can be used by organisations to reduce costs and enhance efficiency and effectiveness in the organisation. The purpose of this trilogy of articles is to introduce shared services as a business model, and how to efficiently and effectively manage a shared services business unit. The purpose of the first article in the trilogy, introduces shared services as a business model, defines what shared services is, the transformation required to successfully implement a shared services business model, as well as the benefits that can be derived from implementing a shared services business model. Methodology: A comprehensive literature study was conducted in order to: - Define and describe shared services as a business model, - Compare shared services with centralisation and de-centralisation, - Determine and describe the transformation required to successfully implement shared services. Findings: In the article, a framework is generated to help organisations understand the business concept of shared services. This work has further potential: when applied correctly, there are both tangible and intangible benefits that can be accrued above cost savings. Implications: The findings of this article are important for organisations that are in the process of implementing or have implemented shared services, as it will assist the organisation in determining if shared services is the correct business model for them to implement. Value: This article provides an understanding of shared services and the business environment required to successfully implement a shared services business model. Value created by a shared services business model is further enhanced once the organisation has embarked on the successful implementation of a shared services business model, which is the primary objective of the second article, Implementation and continuous evolution in shared services.


2017 ◽  
Vol 44 (3) ◽  
pp. 350-370 ◽  
Author(s):  
Austin M. Aldag ◽  
Mildred Warner
Keyword(s):  

1992 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 80-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth M. Wenzel

This paper discusses the development of a particular spatial display medium, the virtual acoustic display. Although the technology can stand alone, it is envisioned ultimately to be a component of a larger multisensory environment and will no doubt find its greatest utility in that context. A general philosophy of the project has been that the development of advanced computer interfaces should be driven first by an understanding of human perceptual requirements, and secondarily by technological capabilities or constraints. In expanding on this view, the paper addresses why virtual acoustic displays are useful, characterizes the abilities of such displays, reviews some recent approaches to their implementation and application, describes the research project at NASA Ames in some detail, and finally outlines some critical research issues for the future.


1972 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 331-348 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. M. Battistella

Confronted with deep—seated problems of spiralling health care costs, the United States is actively considering rationalization as a means for improving efficiency and effectiveness in the operation of health services. The application of managerial and organizational principles characteristic of large—scale business and industry, i.e. quantification of decision—making, consolidation of production, money rewards for cost savings, and economies of scale, is increasingly seen as the key to successful control of the health economy. The drive for rationalization is assessed in terms of its probable impact on the following issues: (a) the scope of health—field boundaries and program responsibilities; (b) the influence of health professionals in policy and planning; (c) the role of altruistic ideals as compared to market values in conditioning provider behavior; and (d) the relationship of health services to larger social and philosophic aims. Because of the tendency toward convergence in the problems governments face in the financing and delivery of health care, it is suggested that developments in the United States may be relevant to other countries in similarly advanced stages of economic growth.


2015 ◽  
Vol 46 (3) ◽  
pp. 128-136 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Poláková ◽  
G. Koláčková ◽  
I. Tichá

Abstract Business modelling facilitates the understanding of value creation logic in organizations in general. Identifying the components of business models based on different criteria helps understanding the fundamentals of business and the position of entrepreneurs and managers in companies. The present research is focused on the definition of a specific business model for the Czech agribusiness sector. Based on the theoretical background and evaluation of selected business models, the aim is to create a new business model, using components which take into account the specifics of this particular industry.


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