The modernization of public administration is a recurring theme on the political and public agenda in many countries. Modernization presupposes innovation. However, is an innovative public administration a contradiction in terminis? If we look at the practice of public administration, and evaluate – from an evolutionary perspective – how public administration has transformed itself during the last 40 years, we actually see a variety of radical and incremental changes. Hence, innovation does take place. This book clearly demonstrates how public administration organizations try to adapt to changing circumstances in their environment in order to secure their legitimacy. At the same time we see that public administration tries to respond and anticipate to new technological developments as well as to make use of them. In many countries e-government has become the symbol of the way in which ICT has penetrated in the nerves of ministries, local and regional government and all kinds of agencies. In this publication, a number of case studies have been presented in which different kind of ICT-driven innovations have been described and analyzed.

An examination of how information technology (IT) can be used in public administration, Information and Communication Technologies in Public Administration: Innovations from Developed Countries examines global perspectives on public administration and IT innovations. This book illustrates the theoretical context of current policies, issues, and imp

This is a timely and important contribution on innovation processes within the public sector. Departing from the myth of private equal to entrepreneurial, public equal to bureaucratic paralysis , it offers precious insights into public sector learning, entrepreneurship, of course inertias, and also the trade-offs involved in different management philosophies and performance evaluation methods. It is a rare example of political economy done right . Giovanni Dosi, Sant Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa Innovation and entrepreneurship have become the cornerstones for economic growth, jobs and competitiveness in the global economy. However, the burden for generating an innovative economy has fallen on the private sector. Scholars have been remarkably taciturn concerning the role for innovation and entrepreneurship in the public sector has remained strikingly invisible. No more. In Innovation in Public Sector Services, the authors assemble a team of leading international scholars in a path breaking study to identify the potential for the public sector in contributing to innovation and entrepreneurship. In particular, the volume introduces an insightful new analytical framework that lays the foundations for transforming a sleepy public sector into a dynamic, innovative and highly effective partner for leadership and change in the global era. Scholars, policy makers and business leaders who think that the public sector is condemned to being a hindrance to innovation and entrepreneurship rather than a leader championing change and competitiveness in a global economy would be well advised to read this important new book. David B. Audretsch, Indiana University, Bloomington, US and WHU, Germany This groundbreaking book provides new key insights and opens up an important research agenda. The book develops a new taxonomy of the different types of innovation found in public sector services, and investigates the key features and drivers of public sector entrepreneurship. The book contains new statistical studies and a set of six international case studies in health and social services. The research shows that public sector organisations are important innovators in their own right. Economic growth and social development depend on efficient public sector organisations that deliver high quality services, are effectively organised, and have excellent interactions with the private sector, NGOs and citizens. Public sector innovation is complex, invariably involving changes in services, organisational structures, and managerial practices. Essential to successful innovation are the policy entrepreneurs and service entrepreneurs who develop, organise and manage new innovations. This book provides key lessons for these public sector entrepreneurs. Innovation in Public Sector Services fills a fundamental gap; explaining the dynamics of innovation and entrepreneurship in public sector services and is of great importance for researchers, academics and students interested in innovation, entrepreneurship and strategy management. It provides a stimulating read for anyone working or interested in health and social services.

Addresses issues relevant to an understanding of the innovation journeys on which public organizations have embarked. If public innovation is defined as a necessary condition for establishing meaningful interactions between the government and society what are the relevant issues that may explain successful processes and forms of public innovation?

ICTs, Citizens and Governance: After the Hype! aims to help researchers and practitioners to understand hypes about ICT and government without becoming cynical. Hypes can be functional in triggering processes of change, but one should be able to distinguish a 'trigger' from a realistic set of expectations. This book combines an analysis of the discourse (in terms of hypes) with an analysis of practices (in terms of stable routines and relational patterns). The relation between the discourse and resulting changing is complex, situational and interpretable in multiple ways but certainly merits our attention.

Public Administration and Information Technology provides a foundational overview of the impact of information technology (IT) on modern public organizations. The focus is on what public managers need to know about managing IT to create more efficient, effective, and transparent organizations. This book is unique in that it provides a concise introduction to the subject area and leaves students with a broad perspective on the most important issues. Other books in the field either examine e-government, or are large reference volumes that are not easily accessible to most students. This textbook shows the practical application of IT to the most important areas of public administration. Public Administration and Information Technology is ideal for use in traditional public administration courses on IT as well as management information systems courses in schools of business. Divided into 3 parts, the book covers: - Public Organizations and Information Technology I- nformation Technology, Evaluation, and Resource Management - Emerging Issues in for Public Managers

Innovation is a core issue for public services and is a key element of public services reform – particularly in this age of austerity where policymakers urge the need to 'innovate to do more with less'. This comprehensive and accessible Handbook explores the potential for creating efficient and effective public services. Leading researchers from across the globe review the state of the art in research on innovation in public services, providing an overview of key issues from a multi-disciplinary perspective. Topics explored include: context for innovation in public services and public service reform; managerial change challenges; ICT and e-government; and collaboration and networks. The theory is underpinned by seven wide-ranging case studies of innovation in practice. Taking the field forward and providing a baseline for future research, this highly unique and original Handbook will prove essential reading for academics, researchers, students, policymakers and practitioners across the fields of innovation, public policy, social policy and public management.

This book originates from a multiple year research project on ICT and justice in a number of EU countries. Among the project's major objectives was the development of new methodologies for facilitating ICT-based innovation in the judiciary.

In a time of unprecedented turbulence, how can public sector organisations increase their ability to find innovative solutions to society's problems? Leading Public Sector Innovation shows how government agencies can use co-creation to overcome barriers and deliver more value, at lower cost, to citizens and business. Through inspiring global case studies and practical examples, the book addresses the key triggers of public sector innovation. It shares new tools for citizen involvement through design thinking and ethnographic research, and pinpoints the leadership roles needed to drive innovation at all levels of government. Leading Public Sector Innovation is essential reading for public managers and staff, social innovators, business partners, researchers, consultants and others with a stake in the public sector of tomorrow.

Information and communication technology (ICT) is central to reforming governance, innovating public services, and building inclusive information societies. Countries are learning to weave ICT into their strategies for transforming government as enterprises have learned to use ICT to innovate and transform their processes and competitive strategies. ICT-enabled transformation offers a new path to digital-era government that is responsive to the challenges of our time. It facilitates innovation, partnering, knowledge sharing, community organizing, local monitoring, accelerated learning, and participatory development. In Transforming Government and Building the Information Society, Nagy Hanna draws on multi-disciplinary research on ICT in the public sector, and on his rich experience of over 35 years at the World Bank and other aid agencies, to identify the key ingredients for the strategic integration of ICT into governance and poverty reduction strategies. The author showcases promising practices from around the world to outline the strategic options involved in using ICT to maximize developmental impact—transforming government institutions and public services, and empowering communities for inclusion and grassroots innovation. Despite the ICT promise, Hanna acknowledges that reforming governance and empowering poor communities are difficult long-term undertakings. Hanna moves beyond the imperatives and visions of e-transformation to strategic design and implementation options, and draws practical lessons for policymakers, reformers, innovators, community leaders, ICT specialists and development experts.