CALL FOR PAPERS

In the western world, the public sector is in the midst of an extensive process of modernization.  The scope of the changes carried out is broad, but they have several common characteristics.  One such characteristic is the reduction of hierarchical control, and the changing role of the government – going from being the single, coordinating and controlling actor within internal hierarchies, to becoming a partner amongst several participants in loosely-coupled and market-oriented organizations.  One feature here is the growth of various forms of public-private partnership where such coalitions are formed to initiate change processes.  Similarly, in the delivery of welfare services, the public sector is now collaborating with other actors, ranging from idealistic organizations to commercial actors. 

Another dominant feature of this shift is that tasks and responsibilities previously being performed and controlled by political/administrative bodies are now being carried out by stand-alone and independent units (e.g. government stock corporations, public enterprises, and regional health enterprises).  As a consequence, political control is reduced.  Parallel to this, various forms of quality assurance and audits are implemented and carried out by government authorities (e.g. The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education, NOKUT). Thus, new organizational arrangements have developed. Changed forms of regulation such as standards, monitoring activities, accreditation and ranking procedures have been introduced in a number of areas. These forms of regulation are applied across public and private sectors.  Finally, it is evident that many of these changes are modeled on private enterprises and the way these are controlled and managed.  This is apparent through the introduction and implementation of corporate models of management as a basis for organizing public activities, and by market mechanisms being used for internal control.   

Developments such as these are currently being studied within the organizational and social sciences under headlines like New Public Management and Governance.  While this extant body of literature is far from homogenous, a common feature is the focus on how control is carried out without a dominant involvement of governmental or public actors. 

While the implications of such changes are fascinating at the national level, and between nations, the repercussions at the local and regional level are equally captivating.  Hence, this context is of particular interest as it offers ample opportunities for comparative studies based on the vast body of international literature in the field. 

PAPER THEMES

Theme 1: Organizational flexibility in public administration

Professor Odd Jarl Borch

This part of the conference is seeking papers with a focus on organizational forms targeted to maintain the demand for continuing change and strategic entrepreneurship within government administration. The main focus will be on how organizations are functioning in point of intersection between the public sector and the market.  Various forms of network based organizations and virtual organizations are presented.  A primary focus will be on adapted administrative and control mechanisms which seek to balance the need for flexibility, innovation capability, and control according to different interests – including the development of relational contract forms. 

Sub-theme 1: Organizing in chaotic environments - from bureaucracy to virtual organizations – how to include dynamic capabilities within the organization?

Sub theme 2:  Coordination and control mechanisms within business development organizations – challenges associated with governing business development schemes within municipalities

Theme 2: Governance, services delivery systems, and municipal change.

Professor B. Guy Peters and Professor Jon Pierre

This theme focuses on changes in public services. How changes in the delivery system and the democratic impact of public services affects the legitimacy of the service provider or the institutional owner. The papers aim at exploring how service institutions and forms of governance affect the management of services and the processes of change in the shape of reforms of public sectors. We are interested in how the governance between owner and institution is conducted and how it is translated into change. Differences within the systems with regard to distance or autonomy between owner and provider of services, regarding governance and regarding management/leadership and communication, provides relevant areas of the studies.

Theme 3: Beyond New Public Management.

Professor Kerstin Sahlin-Andersson

This theme focuses on new kinds of organization and regulation arrangements that cut actors public and private spheres. This theme welcomes papers about private public partnerships – especially those developed in an international context, the developments of standards, guidelines, accreditation and certification as ways of monitoring and regulating operations in public and private sectors. 

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