Politics and Public Services: Looking Beyond Economic Rationality and Public Value

Abstract

Purpose

To understand whether new public management and public value theory are sufficient to guide the strategic behaviours adopted by public sector organizations for their service delivery companies.

Design/methodology/approach

This article uses a longitudinal case study of a joint stock company running an airport service in Tuscany.

Findings

Public value theory should be further developed to guide managerial behaviours in a very complex decision-making environment.

Research limitations

Only one case study is used so results cannot be generalized in a proper statistical way.

Practical implications

Public managers could learn the usefulness of managerial theories for their decision-making.

Social implications

Theories aimed at providing managers with insights into decisions made in complex situations should be tested in the real world before being accepted or refused.

Originality/value

This article analyzes a case study operating under and applying the concepts proposed by new public management and public value theory. It therefore offers insights on their applicability, shortcomings and usefulness for decision-making.

Citation

Monfardini, P. and Ruggiero, P. (2014), "Politics and Public Services: Looking Beyond Economic Rationality and Public Value", Public Value Management, Measurement and Reporting (Studies in Public and Non-Profit Governance, Vol. 3), Emerald Group Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 225-241. https://doi.org/10.1108/S2051-663020140000003009