From Participation to Co-production: Widening and Deepening the Contributions of Citizens to Public Services and Outcomes

Loeffler, Elke and Bovaird, Tony (2018). From Participation to Co-production: Widening and Deepening the Contributions of Citizens to Public Services and Outcomes. In: Ongaro, Edoardo and Van Thiel, Sandra eds. The Palgrave Handbook of Public Administration and Management in Europe. London: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 403–423.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-55269-3_21

Abstract

In recent decades, governments have increasingly accepted the need to engage citizens in public decision-making and public services. This chapter traces the sources of this increased interest in public participation and user and community co-production. Our research suggests that they are important but still under-appreciated by policymakers. While public participation can be effective, even in countries where democracy is still not strong it is not always positive. Similarly, recent research demonstrates that public services are already partly co-produced, as this is not sufficiently recognised by public services, co-production is not being harnessed systematically. More empirical research is needed into what kind of co-production is actually occurring (where, by whom and how?), how it could be further incentivised, and what are its benefits and limitations. In recent decades, governments have increasingly accepted the need to engage citizens in public decision-making and public services. This chapter traces the sources of this increased interest in public participation and user and community co-production. Our research suggests that they are important but still under-appreciated by policymakers. While public participation can be effective, even in countries where democracy is still not strong it is not always positive. Similarly, recent research demonstrates that public services are already partly co-produced, as this is not sufficiently recognised by public services, co-production is not being harnessed systematically. More empirical research is needed into what kind of co-production is actually occurring (where, by whom and how?), how it could be further incentivised, and what are its benefits and limitations.

Viewing alternatives

Metrics

Public Attention

Altmetrics from Altmetric

Number of Citations

Citations from Dimensions
No digital document available to download for this item

Item Actions

Export

About