...findings that transcend national borders were found to be: (1) responsiveness, together with leadership and vision are important antecedents of innovation in the public sector; (2) public sector innovation affects trust in and satisfaction with public administration; and (3) the effect of public sector innovation on trust and satisfaction is both direct and mediated by the image of public organizations
This study presents a three-year effort to study public sector innovation in Europe from the viewpoint of the citizen. It examines a model of public sector innovation across a multinational sample of eight countries and 626 participants. Participant countries were: Ireland, Israel, Lithuania, Norway, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden and the Netherlands. The paper develops a theory of antecedents to and consequences of innovation in public administration as perceived by knowledgeable citizens and end-users. Participants were senior and mid-level managers of third sector organizations that work closely with citizens both as individuals and groups, and with public sector agencies in various domains. Structural Equation Modeling technique was used to examine two theoretical and five alternative models. Major findings that transcend national borders were found to be: (1) responsiveness, together with leadership and vision are important antecedents of innovation in the public sector; (2) public sector innovation affects trust in and satisfaction with public administration; and (3) the effect of public sector innovation on trust and satisfaction is both direct and mediated by the image of public organizations. The paper ends with a discussion of the theoretical and practical implications for public administration theory, especially for public sector innovation in Europe, and with directions for future studies.
Subject terms:
leadership, management, models, public sector, voluntary sector;
European Journal of Social Work, 22(6), 2019, pp.935-946.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
...to the set of beliefs circulated by the ruling elite and adopted by members of the leadership of the Professional Association of Social Workers (SKLE), as well as others within Greece and the European Union, to understand austerity policies. Through this framing, austerity measures are largely accepted as inevitable rather than challengeable. The paper maintains that the concept of austerity common sense
(Edited publisher abstract)
This paper introduces a preliminary conceptualisation of ‘austerity common sense’ in order to understand why austerity policies, despite the social harm they cause, have support not only from the economic and political establishment but also from the wider population including members of the social work profession. Building on the Gramscian concept of common sense, ‘austerity common sense’ refers to the set of beliefs circulated by the ruling elite and adopted by members of the leadership of the Professional Association of Social Workers (SKLE), as well as others within Greece and the European Union, to understand austerity policies. Through this framing, austerity measures are largely accepted as inevitable rather than challengeable. The paper maintains that the concept of austerity common sense provides an analytical framework for understanding the acceptance of austerity measures in Greece and elsewhere, since similar ‘austerity common sense’ framing is encountered in many countries. Furthermore, it is maintained that the concept of ‘austerity common sense’ can facilitate the interrogation of the socio-economic construction of ideas and phrases. This is an important process with which the social work profession needs to engage.
(Edited publisher abstract)
Subject terms:
cutbacks, social workers, leadership, critical thinking, professionals, professional associations;
Public Money and Management, 29(6), November 2009, pp.379-386.
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Place of publication:
Philadelphia, USA
...style’ of leadership, which could better assess the local, motivating ideas brought to the table by faith-based organisations (FBOs). The author expands on the UK debate over the role of FBOs in sections entitled, ‘Doing God: in search of a leadership context’ and ‘A singular narrative of Catholic social teaching’. He details Caritas’ contribution to EU anti-poverty advocacy activities with the advent
This article looks at Caritas, which is Europe’s biggest religious non-government organisation and the largest voluntary sector network of any kind, active in every European Union (EU) member state and likely accession states. The author compares examples of Caritas’ practice of advocacy with an anti-poverty remit, at the religious third sector-state interface Europe wide and as part of European Commission-funded initiatives to engage civil society networks in improving national social inclusion strategies, to the debate within the United Kingdom on the role of religious organisations in welfare reform and advocacy. The impact of individual nations’ state structures and civil service actions on the effectiveness of faith-based advocacy often indicated a need for the development of a more ‘adaptive style’ of leadership, which could better assess the local, motivating ideas brought to the table by faith-based organisations (FBOs). The author expands on the UK debate over the role of FBOs in sections entitled, ‘Doing God: in search of a leadership context’ and ‘A singular narrative of Catholic social teaching’. He details Caritas’ contribution to EU anti-poverty advocacy activities with the advent of the CONCEPT project (Caritas organisations network to challenge the exclusion and poverty trap) which boasts 24 national experts on social inclusion. Individual examples from Ireland, Sweden, France, Romania, Austria and the UK are highlighted. The author’s conclusion calls for more research.
Subject terms:
leadership, poverty, religions, religious beliefs, voluntary sector, advocacy, cultural identity, European Union;