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A theoretical framework for studying the co-creation of innovative solutions and public value

Authors: Jacob Torfing1, Ewan Ferlie2, Tina Jukić3, and Edoardo Ongaro4
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  • 1 Roskilde University, , Denmark
  • | 2 King’s College London, , UK
  • | 3 University of Ljubljana, , Slovenia
  • | 4 The Open University, , UK
Article Category:
Editorial
Copyright:
© Policy Press 2021
Online Publication Date:
12 Feb 2021
Pages:
189–209
Publisher:
Policy Press
Volume/Issue:
Volume 49: Issue 2
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1332/030557321X16108172803520
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The expansion of the scope and significance of co-creation in public policy and governance prompts the integration of different theoretical strands that together can help us illuminating the antecedent conditions, the processes of multi-actor collaboration, the creation of innovative solutions, and the assessment of their public value. Exploring the affinities and complementarities of relevant perspectives such as theories of co-creation, public value management, public innovation, collaborative governance, network governance, strategic management and digital era governance may foster a more comprehensive framework for studying the co-creation of public value outcomes such as needs-based services, effective governance and democratic legitimacy. This introduction seeks to explain why we must transform the public sector in order to spur co-creation, how strategic management and digital platforms can support this transformation, and why we must bring together and synthesize different bodies of theory when studying the complex processes of co-creation and their drivers, barriers and outcomes.

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Jacob Torfing1, Ewan Ferlie2, Tina Jukić3, and Edoardo Ongaro4
  • 1 Roskilde University, , Denmark
  • | 2 King’s College London, , UK
  • | 3 University of Ljubljana, , Slovenia
  • | 4 The Open University, , UK

jtor@ruc.dk
ewan.ferlie@kcl.ac.uk
Tina.Jukic@fu.uni-lj.si
edoardo.ongaro@open.ac.uk

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