Public sector innovativeness and public values through information and communication technologies


Cubuk E. B. S., KARKIN N., YAVUZ N.

20th Annual International Conference on Digital Government Research (DGO), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 18 - 20 June 2019, pp.353-361, (Full Text) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume:
  • Doi Number: 10.1145/3325112.3325215
  • City: Dubai
  • Country: United Arab Emirates
  • Page Numbers: pp.353-361
  • Keywords: Public sector innovation, public values, ICTs, OPEN GOVERNMENT DATA, CUTBACK MANAGEMENT, VALUE PERSPECTIVE, BIG QUESTIONS, ICT, GOVERNANCE, FRAMEWORK, CREATION, DECLINE, SERVICE
  • Middle East Technical University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In public administration (PA) literature, there are a number of big questions regarding institutional and organizational factors. Competency formation, availability of resources and citizen empowerment [1] are among them. The importance of big questions must not rely on instrumentality; rather should focus on how and whether they have consequences and value for society [2]. The literature also questions "the paradox of publicness" [3, 4] by referring the "special status of public organization" claim of [5] and "publicness theory" of [6]. Given that public organizations have different characteristics with regard to operational processes and organizational structures operating in a particularized environment [7:6], they pursue different ends [5]. Replying to these big questions, we put forward public sector innovation (PSI) and co-creation of public values (PVs) as particularly important when contextual and conditional indicators are at the table. PVs and innovations in government may serve the government to reorganize PA as a whole through producing holistic and long-term strategies to enhance public service delivery system in a multi-actor-environment. For this we need a functional mediator, thus we employ information and communication technologies (ICTs). Through ICT-led tools, various and differentiated stakeholders can meet on a continuous base to frame the collective ground. For governments, ICTs may well be used to realize collaboration, coordination, and co-creation values that would alleviate some of the issues addressed via the big questions.