Collaboration in public service delivery: what, when and how

Abstract

Collaborative arrangements such as co-production, co-management, consultations, contracting-out, commissioning and certification in recent years have been at the centre of efforts to re-think and improve the provision of public services. Unfortunately, lost in the discussion of the possible benefits of these alternative modes of service delivery has been the understanding of exactly in what instances a particular arrangement can be considered as ‘collaborative’ and when and how such arrangements are able to address specific social needs or a particular sector’s problem. To address these questions and move practice and discussion forward, the chapter and the volume introduces, re-conceptualizes and re-analyzes major collaborative arrangements in public service delivery though a governance lens. After addressing the nature of each major collaboration type, the chapter sheds light on the political, analytical and managerial competences that are critical for the success of collaborative efforts in public service provision.