Public values assessment as a practice: integration of evidence and research agenda

Abstract

Policymakers and public managers need to identify, reflect and decide on public values for given policy issues. This process is defined as public values assessment (PVA). We conduct a systematic literature review (n = 114 studies) on PVA, and employ a Strategy-as-Practice lens to analyse how the activity of PVA takes place in practice. Based on our integration of evidence, we propose a theoretical framework called PVA-as-Practice (PVAP). We conclude by recommending a configuration approach to future public values research to identify the most effective configurations of PVA activities, taking into account the policy issues faced by policymakers and public managers.