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Book part
Publication date: 18 November 2022

Rory Shand, Steven Parker and Catherine Elliott

Public service ethos (PSE) is traditionally associated with public administration, bureaucracy and frontline response. Thinkers such as Aristotle and Weber embedded ideas of…

Abstract

Public service ethos (PSE) is traditionally associated with public administration, bureaucracy and frontline response. Thinkers such as Aristotle and Weber embedded ideas of public virtue and vocation, yet new managerialism, as well as changes to public services management challenge traditional notions of PSE. Recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic, counter terrorism and government austerity agendas have put PSE back into the public eye. In this chapter we examine the context for a renewed PSE as a crucial aspect of resilience for workers in public services and public management. We focus on three areas that we feel are important for PSE: policy, purpose and pedagogy, and how a renewed PSE can inform pedagogy in the discipline, renewing ideas of vocation in public administration training.

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Reimagining Public Sector Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-022-1

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Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2016

Rory Shand and Mark Hyde

Is public entrepreneurship an oxymoron? Why and how is enterprise/entrepreneurship important for public service delivery? The growing role of enterprise within the public sector…

Abstract

Purpose

Is public entrepreneurship an oxymoron? Why and how is enterprise/entrepreneurship important for public service delivery? The growing role of enterprise within the public sector has been the subject of much recent debate and policy focus, surrounding issues such as public value, meeting targets, and the need for innovation across public services by policy makers and managers given rapid reduction of budgets in this sector. This chapter reflects on these developments and examines the effects that an enterprise focus in the public services has in terms of vocation. Drawing on the Weberian notion of vocation (1941) in politics and the sciences, what does enterprise mean for the notion of public service? Certainly, historically the public services have enjoyed a strong vocational drive from its workforce, resulting in employee loyalty, and links with communities as well as higher levels of public trust than politicians or bankers, for example. The chapter draws on examples from education, public services and localism, all of which have seen to some degree the parachuting of managers in from the private sector or the aping of these behaviours and cultures in search of more entrepreneurial delivery. Drawing on the Weberian framework of bureaucracy and vocation, the chapter examines the changing role of public service and notions of community and duty, arguably damaged by failures of the Big Society agenda (Shand & Higman, 2014; Smith, 2010) and examines if and how enterprise can maintain the ethos of public service and vocational areas of the public sector in the enduring and pressurised new public management environment of meeting targets and value metrics.

Methodology/approach

The chapter adopts a Weberian approach in terms of vocation, and applies this concept to the notion of enterprise across the public services. The vocation approach in the public services, drawing upon Weber’s discussion of politics and science, underpins our discussion in this chapter as we argue that the role of innovation needs to be more widely applied and appreciated in the public services.

Findings

The chapter finds that examples of innovative behaviour and delivery are evident across the public services, but these need to be understood within the context of culture, values and ethos. These underpinning goals, across several frontline and first respondent public services particularly, are driven by dedication to duty and having to respond to rapid changes in targets, ‘customer’ service, and most recently, austerity. These responses need to be seen as innovative traits, linked to leadership and the Weberian notion of vocation.

Practical implications

The chapter raises several issues driven by failures or mistrust in the practical delivery and underpinning ethos of the public services. The focus on ethos has direct implications for both leadership within the public services and how these leaders’ roles and actions are interpreted by sections of wider society such as the media or the public. Notions of public trust are touched upon in the chapter, which highlight the role of key public services as different from the activities of politicians and bankers, areas which have become central to growing attitudes of mistrust among the public. The notion of vocation in the chapter is applicable to the practical arena as the role of innovation in public service needs to be reconsidered. The chapter suggests that, to date, the idea of innovation in public services has been driven by private sector innovation, and this has led to far too narrow an appreciation of what we term innovation within and across the public services.

Originality/value

This chapter unites debates around trust and innovation in the public and private sectors with the Weberian ideal of vocation, drawing upon key public services and their leadership and delivery to argue that we need to understand the drivers and motivating ethos behind the public services when we consider the role of innovation and indeed how we understand and apply this term within public service delivery.

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New Perspectives on Research, Policy & Practice in Public Entrepreneurship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-821-6

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Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Rory Shand

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the governance of regeneration projects, as part of the pan-German Social City initiative, examine the key actors engaged in delivery…

321

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the governance of regeneration projects, as part of the pan-German Social City initiative, examine the key actors engaged in delivery of renewal, and set out findings, before mapping the actors and governance models in regeneration in the area.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper draws upon the paradigm of governance to illustrate actors in regeneration, about which little has been written thus far. The paper draws upon interviews with these actors in Potsdam and uses the policy networks approach to examine where power, resources and function are allocated among the actors in renewal.

Findings

Though the community actor is an important conduit between the private sector and tiers of governance, in Potsdam the funding focus comes from private individuals and business, there is less scope for the community to act as manager of projects in renewal.

Originality/value

The role of community managers can be compared to other subnational, national or global regeneration programmes. In examining the strengths and weaknesses of this model, the findings are of value in comparable cases as well as to policy makers and practitioners. The role of communities in working with business and government can be replicated and learnt from in other cases.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 56 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

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Book part
Publication date: 18 October 2014

Kerry E. Howell and Rory Shand

Europeanization involves institutional development as well as the adaptation of Member States policy and regulation towards EU directed expectations and transformations.

Abstract

Purpose

Europeanization involves institutional development as well as the adaptation of Member States policy and regulation towards EU directed expectations and transformations.

Design/methodology/approach

Europeanization provides a means of mapping, analysing changes and enables a starting point for developing leadership strategies within the EU.

Findings

Through discourse, leaders in the EU and Member States continue to consider issues relating to late capitalism, democratic accountability and the efficiency and effectiveness of socio-economic models and problems regarding these when assessing the changing role of the nation-state in a transforming global environment.

Research limitations/implications

Even though a transformation in leadership and discourse became apparent to ensure the continuation of the Eurozone the research does not clearly map how far treaty amendments will enable closer fiscal and political integration.

Originality/value

Europeanization is conceptualised on a number of different levels; initially it may be considered as an extension of ideas relating to civil constitution and international law through recognition and dialectical or transformational discourse. Second, Europeanization may be seen as the means by which EU polity provisions affect Member States or as an important mechanism for the development of EU structures/institutions and cultural transformation. Through transformations in discourse propagated by the leadership an intensification of Europeanization in terms of content, mechanism and processes became apparent.

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European Public Leadership in Crisis?
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78350-901-0

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Article
Publication date: 11 November 2013

Louise Geddes and Rory Shand

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of tiers of governance and discuss the findings from research into a crime policy's implementation focusing on resourcing…

891

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of tiers of governance and discuss the findings from research into a crime policy's implementation focusing on resourcing, community engagement, accountability and leadership. The paper examines the shift from partnership delivery to the Big Society.

Design/methodology/approach

18 in-depth semi-structured interviews with partnership managers from a range of organisations combined with non-participant semi-structured of ten partnership meetings and documentary analysis were undertaken, in tandem with the policy networks framework.

Findings

Despite the expectations placed on crime partnerships by New Labour, governance has continued to be driven by professionals and dominated by the large public sector organisations, rather than the community they serve or their service users, and with little involvement from the business sector in delivery. The focus upon voluntarism, enterprise and business in the Big Society vision will mean rapid adaptation in the sector if it is to fit the Big Society agenda successfully.

Originality/value

The paper serves to set out the relationships between key actors in governance in this policy area and the relevance of this to the Big Society idea. Its findings and lessons can be used to compare the policy sector across countries and for practical use by policy makers.

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 55 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

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Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 11 November 2013

Chris Gale and Alexandra Dobson

150

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 55 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Available. Content available
Article
Publication date: 6 May 2014

Chris Gale and Alexandra Dobson

80

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Law and Management, vol. 56 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1754-243X

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 18 October 2014

Abstract

Details

European Public Leadership in Crisis?
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78350-901-0

Available. Content available
Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2016

Abstract

Details

New Perspectives on Research, Policy & Practice in Public Entrepreneurship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-821-6

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Book part
Publication date: 18 November 2022

John Diamond and Joyce Liddle

To set the context for this edited collection by situating the discussion within both a global setting as well as examining the development and framing of processes, initiatives…

Abstract

Purpose

To set the context for this edited collection by situating the discussion within both a global setting as well as examining the development and framing of processes, initiatives, policy paradigms and theoretical models which have shaped contemporary discourse and practice.

Design/Method

To draw on extant and current academic literature, contemporary thinking derived from policy organisations, think tanks and governmental institutions but also draw on the experience and insights provided by the contributors.

Findings

There are three core findings drawn prior to March 2022. Firstly, that the overall impact of the Global Financial Crash of 2008 and COVID-19 marks a new paradigm shift that will, more likely, shape thinking over the next decade; secondly, global attention to the climate emergency and sustainability agendas suggest that new forms of locally led responses will be necessary; and thirdly, the perceived political uncertainty of the institutions of the European Union and the USA make the stability of the policy making process and its responses to COVID-19 or the Climate Emergency much less predictable over the next 5–10 years.

Originality

This series of essays reflects the work undertaken by each of those contributing to the collection. Each author was invited to start with their primary research focus and to take their ideas and thinking for a ‘walk’ in order to stimulate discussion, novel thinking and different approaches to policy dilemmas.

Details

Reimagining Public Sector Management
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-80262-022-1

Keywords

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