5. Local Public Sector Innovation

Freeman’s (1982) early, deep study of innovation concluded innovate or die. He was referring to firms competing in markets. Public agencies too need innovation faced with competition from private providers and for budgetary resources from big spending areas such as welfare and defence. Quite rightly, people such as Jansson (2013) call for politicians to justify public services and the taxes needed to properly fund them, calling attention also to the employment opportunities for young people, if offered training, in areas such as health, education, and care services. Citizens, auditors, and national Governments expect efficiency and effectiveness. Efficiency here includes continuous improvement designed to maximise outcome from inputs. Effectiveness means adopting the best service models, enabling technologies and the best ways-of-working. In short, efficiency and effectiveness go together and are bundled here under the rubric of innovation.