Towards whole-of-government enhancement of public value: an Australian case

Abstract

The creation of public value holds a central place both in contemporary academic discussions of public administration and in practitioner interpretations of their roles in and around government. Mark Moore’s influential public value framework connects public value creation in service delivery to the achievement of desired social outcomes, and to the maintenance of governmental legitimacy and trust. Towards the end of its long term in office, the Labor-led Government of South Australia (2002–2018) embraced Moore’s public value characterization of government’s role in society. We review that unique effort to promote public value across the whole of government, in policy design and practice. In so doing, we extract suggestions for public sector leaders and managers aspiring to implement similar system-wide change: (1) Gain powerful support; (2) Be clear on what is to be achieved; (3) Secure organizational resources; (4) Build a coalition; and (5) Keep communicating and learning.