Why engage in co-production of public services? Mixing theory and empirical evidence
By: VAN EIJK, Carola
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Contributor(s): Steen, Trui.
Material type: 
ArticlePublisher: Los Angeles : Sage, Mar. 2016International Review of Administrative Sciences 82, 1, p. 28-46Abstract: Through processes of co-production, citizens collaborate with public service agents in the provision of public services. Despite the research attention given to co-production, some major gaps in our knowledge remain. One of these concerns the question why citizens engage in processes of co-production of public services. In this article, a theoretical model is built that brings the human factor into the study of co-production. The model explains citizens engagement in co-production referring to citizens perceptions of the co-production task and of their competency to contribute to the public service delivery process, citizens individual characteristics, and their self-interested and community-focused motivations. Empirical evidence from four co-production cases in the Netherlands and Belgium is used to demonstrate the models usefulness. The academic and practical relevance of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed
Through processes of co-production, citizens collaborate with public service agents in the provision of public services. Despite the research attention given to co-production, some major gaps in our knowledge remain. One of these concerns the question why citizens engage in processes of co-production of public services. In this article, a theoretical model is built that brings the human factor into the study of co-production. The model explains citizens engagement in co-production referring to citizens perceptions of the co-production task and of their competency to contribute to the public service delivery process, citizens individual characteristics, and their self-interested and community-focused motivations. Empirical evidence from four co-production cases in the Netherlands and Belgium is used to demonstrate the models usefulness. The academic and practical relevance of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed
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