Public Services Reform in Scotland: current knowledge and future prospects
In recent years, attempts to drive up standards in Scotland’s public services have resulted in a period of substantial reform. The aim is to improve public service performance by creating a clearer, simpler and more effective public sector, but how can this be achieved? What is the existing knowledge-base on reforming and managing public services? What are the lessons that emerge from other countries as well as from within the Scottish context? How can the dialogue across and collaboration between academics, practitioners and policy makers interested in this area be furthered? This project addresses these issues. It
-
examines the current state of knowledge on public services reform in the literature and its relevance for the developing agenda of public services reform and management in Scotland.
-
draws out aspects of the Public Services Programme’s work across the UK that are particularly important for the Scottish context.
-
identifies opportunities for and challenges to the public services research agenda in Scotland.
The work forms part of the Economic and Social Research Council's Public Services Programme. It is co-sponsored by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and The Scottish Government (ESRC Reference RES-153-27-0015).
