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Book part
Publication date: 23 May 2016

Rory Shand and Mark Hyde

Is public entrepreneurship an oxymoron? Why and how is enterprise/entrepreneurship important for public service delivery? The growing role of enterprise within the public sector…

Abstract

Purpose

Is public entrepreneurship an oxymoron? Why and how is enterprise/entrepreneurship important for public service delivery? The growing role of enterprise within the public sector has been the subject of much recent debate and policy focus, surrounding issues such as public value, meeting targets, and the need for innovation across public services by policy makers and managers given rapid reduction of budgets in this sector. This chapter reflects on these developments and examines the effects that an enterprise focus in the public services has in terms of vocation. Drawing on the Weberian notion of vocation (1941) in politics and the sciences, what does enterprise mean for the notion of public service? Certainly, historically the public services have enjoyed a strong vocational drive from its workforce, resulting in employee loyalty, and links with communities as well as higher levels of public trust than politicians or bankers, for example. The chapter draws on examples from education, public services and localism, all of which have seen to some degree the parachuting of managers in from the private sector or the aping of these behaviours and cultures in search of more entrepreneurial delivery. Drawing on the Weberian framework of bureaucracy and vocation, the chapter examines the changing role of public service and notions of community and duty, arguably damaged by failures of the Big Society agenda (Shand & Higman, 2014; Smith, 2010) and examines if and how enterprise can maintain the ethos of public service and vocational areas of the public sector in the enduring and pressurised new public management environment of meeting targets and value metrics.

Methodology/approach

The chapter adopts a Weberian approach in terms of vocation, and applies this concept to the notion of enterprise across the public services. The vocation approach in the public services, drawing upon Weber’s discussion of politics and science, underpins our discussion in this chapter as we argue that the role of innovation needs to be more widely applied and appreciated in the public services.

Findings

The chapter finds that examples of innovative behaviour and delivery are evident across the public services, but these need to be understood within the context of culture, values and ethos. These underpinning goals, across several frontline and first respondent public services particularly, are driven by dedication to duty and having to respond to rapid changes in targets, ‘customer’ service, and most recently, austerity. These responses need to be seen as innovative traits, linked to leadership and the Weberian notion of vocation.

Practical implications

The chapter raises several issues driven by failures or mistrust in the practical delivery and underpinning ethos of the public services. The focus on ethos has direct implications for both leadership within the public services and how these leaders’ roles and actions are interpreted by sections of wider society such as the media or the public. Notions of public trust are touched upon in the chapter, which highlight the role of key public services as different from the activities of politicians and bankers, areas which have become central to growing attitudes of mistrust among the public. The notion of vocation in the chapter is applicable to the practical arena as the role of innovation in public service needs to be reconsidered. The chapter suggests that, to date, the idea of innovation in public services has been driven by private sector innovation, and this has led to far too narrow an appreciation of what we term innovation within and across the public services.

Originality/value

This chapter unites debates around trust and innovation in the public and private sectors with the Weberian ideal of vocation, drawing upon key public services and their leadership and delivery to argue that we need to understand the drivers and motivating ethos behind the public services when we consider the role of innovation and indeed how we understand and apply this term within public service delivery.

Details

New Perspectives on Research, Policy & Practice in Public Entrepreneurship
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-78560-821-6

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 January 1989

The Commercial Invoice is the first EDI message to gain worldwide acceptance, and it has been registered as a standard by the United Nations. The action was hailed by the…

Abstract

The Commercial Invoice is the first EDI message to gain worldwide acceptance, and it has been registered as a standard by the United Nations. The action was hailed by the Commission of European Communities (CEC) as a significant step towards the international agreement on technical standards needed in order for electronic communications to gradually replace paperwork in world trade.

Details

The Electronic Library, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-0473

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2000

Joseph G. Nellis, Kathleen M. McCaffery and Robert W. Hutchinson

Completion of the European Single Market Programme in Financial Services has, as expected, set in motion a rationalisation process within the European banking industry, as banks…

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Abstract

Completion of the European Single Market Programme in Financial Services has, as expected, set in motion a rationalisation process within the European banking industry, as banks respond to increasing competitive pressures that are having a dampening effect on their traditional business margins. Assesses the importance of these developments in the context of the policy options that are open to the European banking community in the new millennium. In particular, given the prospect of an integrated European economy, now commonly referred to as Euroland, the paper addresses, as its central theme, the potential for the development of pan‐European banks that would then be in a position to configure longer‐term globalisation strategies. Evolution in this direction, if it occurs, is important from a European Central Bank policy perspective, since it would raise systemic risk issues if a small number of European licensed banks became “too big to fail”. We conclude, however, that the most prominent strategic response is likely to be based on the European “regionalisation” of banks and markets rather than pan‐Europeanisation.

Details

International Journal of Bank Marketing, vol. 18 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0265-2323

Keywords

Abstract

Details

Handbook of Transport Strategy, Policy and Institutions
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-0-0804-4115-3

Article
Publication date: 8 February 2024

Casper Hendrik Claassen, Eric Bidet, Junki Kim and Yeanhee Choi

This study aims to assess the alignment of South Korea’s government-certified social enterprises (GCSEs) with prevailing social enterprise (SE) models, notably the entrepreneurial…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to assess the alignment of South Korea’s government-certified social enterprises (GCSEs) with prevailing social enterprise (SE) models, notably the entrepreneurial nonprofit, social cooperative and social business models delineated in the “Emergence of Social Enterprises in Europe” (Defourny and Nyssens, 2012, 2017a, 2017b) and the “principle of interest” frameworks (Defourny et al., 2021). Thereby, it seeks to situate these enterprises within recognized frameworks and elucidate their hybrid identities.

Design/methodology/approach

Analyzing panel data from 2016 to 2020 for 259 GCSEs, this study uses tslearn for k-means clustering with dynamic time warping to assess their developmental trajectories and alignment with established SE models, which echoes the approach of Defourny et al. (2021). We probe the “fluid” identities of semi-public sector SEs, integrating Gordon’s (2013) notion that they tend to blend various SE traditions as opposed to existing in isolation.

Findings

Results indicate that GCSEs do align with prevalent SE frameworks. Furthermore, they represent a spectrum of SE models, suggesting the versatility of the public sector in fostering diverse types of SEs.

Originality/value

The concept of a semi-public sector SE model has been relatively uncharted, even though it holds significance for research on SE typologies and public sector entrepreneurship literature. This study bridges this gap by presenting empirical evidence of semi-public SEs and delineating the potential paths these enterprises might take as they amalgamate various SE traditions.

Details

Social Enterprise Journal, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-8614

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 March 1996

David Shand

This article surveys budgetary reforms in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, which have aimed both at reducing budget deficits and…

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Abstract

This article surveys budgetary reforms in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries, which have aimed both at reducing budget deficits and improving public sector performance.(1) It discusses the pressures giving rise to these reforms, recent trends in reducing deficits and the changes to budgetary processes adopted by various countries. Brief reference is also made to changes in expenditure programs. In some OECD Member countries, changes to budgetary processes have been part of an overall program of reform in public sector management. While there are differences of emphasis between countries, there is considerable convergence toward establishing new budgetary processes which have multi-year approach, provide for greater budgetary devolution to ministries and agencies and focus more on managing the performance of government organizations and programs.

Details

Journal of Public Budgeting, Accounting & Financial Management, vol. 10 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1096-3367

Abstract

Details

Arts and Academia
Type: Book
ISBN: 978-1-83867-730-5

Article
Publication date: 29 June 2012

David Minguillo and Mike Thelwall

This study aims to introduce a method based on link analysis to investigate the structure of the R&D support infrastructure associated with science parks in order to determine…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to introduce a method based on link analysis to investigate the structure of the R&D support infrastructure associated with science parks in order to determine whether this webometric approach gives plausible results.

Design/methodology/approach

Three science parks from Yorkshire and the Humber in the UK were analysed with webometric and social network analysis techniques. Interlinking networks were generated through the combination of two different data sets extracted from three sources (Yahoo!, Bing, SocSciBot).

Findings

These networks suggest that institutional sectors, representing business, universities and public bodies, are primarily tied together by a core formed by research institutions, support structure organisations and business developers. The comparison of the findings with traditional indicators suggests that the web‐based networks reflect the offline conditions and policy measures adopted in the region, giving some evidence that the webometric approach is plausible to investigating science park networks.

Originality/value

This is the first study that applies a web‐based approach to investigate to what extent the science parks facilitate a closer interaction between the heterogeneous organisations that converge in R&D networks. This indicates that link analysis may help to get a first insight into the organisation of the R&D support infrastructure provided by science parks.

Book part
Publication date: 5 November 2015

Manuel Wörsdörfer

The Equator Principles are a transnational corporate social responsibility initiative in the project finance sector. In 2013, the Equator Principles Association celebrated the…

Abstract

The Equator Principles are a transnational corporate social responsibility initiative in the project finance sector. In 2013, the Equator Principles Association celebrated the tenth anniversary of its principles and at the same time the formal launch of the latest generation of the Equator Principles (EP III). The paper describes the historic development of the Equator Principles – from the initial drafting process in the early 2000s up to the latest review process which led to the third generation of the Equator Principles. The paper also analyzes the current state of affairs of the Equator Principles (Association) and gives a brief outlook on potential lines of (future) development. In particular, the paper deals with the following questions: What are the main characteristics of the Equator Principles framework? What are the relevant actors involved in the drafting and reviewing process? Why are the EPs and other organizational and associational codes of conduct in the finance sector so important? What has been achieved so far by the Equator Principles (Association) and the participating (financial) institutions and what remains to be done?

Article
Publication date: 16 March 2010

Christine Zhen‐Wei Qiang

Reviewing a dozen of fiscal stimulus packages in developed countries, this paper analyzes one common strategy that has found widespread support in these stimulus packages and its

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Abstract

Purpose

Reviewing a dozen of fiscal stimulus packages in developed countries, this paper analyzes one common strategy that has found widespread support in these stimulus packages and its relevance for developing countries: investing in broadband and next‐generation networks, as a counter‐cyclical tool to create jobs and provide the foundation for economic recovery and long‐term sustained growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper looks at the various impacts broadband investment is expected to have: short‐term job creation and aggregate demand effects, and long‐term productive activities in other sectors of the economy. Moreover, broadband investment is more fiscally sound than other public spending stimulus options, in the sense of coming closer to, or in some cases actually being, self‐financing.

Findings

Several factors highlight the potential of broadband infrastructure as an important area of public investment during economic downturn, an option also open to policymakers in developing countries. Spending initiatives on next‐generation telecommunications networks at a time when labor market conditions are particularly weak can help preserve jobs and head off a potential burden on social safety nets. Bringing forward longer‐term aggregate spillover effects of broadband can improve the productivity of the entire economy and is consistent with enhancing longer‐run growth and development. Public support also “crowds in” private investment when access to private financing is decreasing and more expensive.

Originality/value

This is one of the few studies with a focus on the emerging broadband network, its impact on economy and the role of the public sector in rolling out next‐generation networks, during economic downturn and in general. A detailed summary of broadband initiatives in more than a dozen developed countries is provided in the paper.

Details

info, vol. 12 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-6697

Keywords

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