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Risking innovation. Understanding risk and public service innovation—evidence from a four nation study

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  • Stephen Osborne
  • Taco Brandsen
  • Valentina Mele
  • Juraj Nemec
  • Marieke van Genugten
  • Sophie Flemig

Abstract

This paper presents new evidence about the governance of risk in public service innovation. It finds that risk is currently poorly understood with public service organizations. Either it is presented as a professional issue or it is dealt with purely as an actuarial or health and safety issue. There is little understanding of risk as a core component of innovation. In response, this paper argues for a more nuanced risk governance approach that calls for transparent decision-making on risk in public service innovation in relation to its intended outcomes.Politicians and public service managers need to understand that risk is an inherent element of innovation, because it engages with uncertain outcomes. A framework needs to be evolved to balance these risks against potential benefits and which can drive forward transparent risk governance involving politicians, public service mangers, citizens and local communities and other key stakeholders. This approach also needs to accept that failure can often by an outcome of innovation. The key here is not to maintain the blame culture that has dominate the debate to date but rather to embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and to improve public services and their outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Stephen Osborne & Taco Brandsen & Valentina Mele & Juraj Nemec & Marieke van Genugten & Sophie Flemig, 2020. "Risking innovation. Understanding risk and public service innovation—evidence from a four nation study," Public Money & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(1), pages 52-62, January.
  • Handle: RePEc:taf:pubmmg:v:40:y:2020:i:1:p:52-62
    DOI: 10.1080/09540962.2019.1621051
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    Cited by:

    1. Nina Tomaževič & Polonca Kovač & Dejan Ravšelj & Lan Umek & Cenay Babaoğlu & Marie Bohatá & Bernhard Hirsch & Onur Kulaç & Guliya K. Nurlybaeva & Fabienne-Sophie Schäfer & Aleksander Aristovnik, 2023. "The Role of Agile Values in Enhancing Good Governance in Public Administration during the COVID-19 Crisis: An International Survey," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-22, November.
    2. Fuglsang, Lars & Hansen, Anne Vorre, 2022. "Framing improvements of public innovation in a living lab context: Processual learning, restrained space and democratic engagement," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    3. Aldona Frączkiewicz-Wronka & Tomasz Ingram & Karolina Szymaniec-Mlicka & Piotr Tworek, 2021. "Risk Management and Financial Stability in the Polish Public Hospitals: The Moderating Effect of the Stakeholders’ Engagement in the Decision-Making," Risks, MDPI, vol. 9(5), pages 1-23, May.

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