Collaborative cost-cutting: productive efficiency as an interdependency between public organizations. Issue 12 (2nd December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Elston, Thomas; MacCarthaigh, Muiris; Verhoest, Koen
• Is Part Of: Public management review. Volume 20:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1815
• Page End: 1835
• Publication Date: 2018-12-02
• Subjects: Efficiency -- organization theory -- shared services; Local government -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2018.1438498
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1471-9037

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Collaboration between public sector organizations is typically understood as a response to complexity. Agencies collaborate in order to address complex, cross-cutting policy needs that cannot be met individually. However, when organizational size is a constraining factor in public service efficiency, collaboration can also reduce costs by capturing scale economies unavailable to organizations of sub-optimal size. Using organization theory, the article conceptualizes these two different triggers for public sector collaboration, and builds a framework for tracing their wider impact upon the formation, operation, and outcome of inter-agency partnerships. The framework is illustrated, and its implications for future research are explored.