The Co-production Concept

Abstract

It is not only clients who can engage in co-production with a public sector organisation. So too can volunteers, private firms, other agencies at different levels of government, community organisations, and friends, relatives or neighbours of clients. In fact, just about anyone can potentially be involved. The notion of co-production therefore covers a wider field than the contribution of clients. This chapter explores this wider field. It starts with a sketch of its origins and evolution and draws on it to offer a working definition of co-production. It then considers what is known so far about the two basic questions addressed by this book: (1) when is co-production appropriate? (2) what induces co-producers to produce?