Public service refers to activities and jobs that are organized by a government or an official body in order to benefit all of a particular community. These services may be provided directly by a public sector agency, via public financing available to private businesses and charities, or through non-government organisations referred to as NGOs. They are characterised by a social consensus that some kinds of goods and services, such as health care, education, social welfare and public safety are a vital aspect of human well-being and must be financed and delivered in the public interest.
While a desire to help others is one of the most obvious motivations for pursuing a career in public service, it is by no means the only reason. The public service field offers many opportunities for professional growth and advancement in areas that are surprisingly diverse.
The growing popularity of the concept of citizen participation in public service delivery has prompted a new wave of research. This research seeks to better understand the dynamics of this form of co-production and how it can be stimulated by public service organizations (PSOs). To do so, the study of intrinsic and extrinsic processes of value creation requires a shift away from the product-dominant approach that is currently at the core of the dominant New Public Management (NPM) narrative (Bovaird et al. 2017).
A central issue is to determine the factors that influence citizens’ decision to participate in PSEs. Existing literature suggests that there are two leading causes: ability and motivation. Both of these are rooted in citizens’ ability and willingness to invest time, effort and knowledge in the co-production of services.
About the Author
