Innovation capacity in the public sector: Structures, networks and leadership

Abstract: Innovation in the public sector has become an important focus for governments around the world over the last decade, helping to frame issues and priorities within the public sectors of many developed countries. An amplified focus on innovation in the public sector has created a need to understand the innovation capacity of public organizations. Innovation is defined as: “the process from ideas to successful implementation of these, which makes a substantial difference to an organization’s understanding of the needs it is addressing and the services it delivers.” This paper examines the innovation capacity of municipal governments, by examining their innovation environments - governance structures, social networks, and leadership qualities. An empirical study of this has been recently completed, through a survey of politicians and senior administrators in Denmark (Copenhagen), the Netherlands (Rotterdam), Spain (Barcelona), and Scotland (West Lothian, which borders Edinburgh). This paper analyses the data for Copenhagen. The aim of this paper is to establish a framework for the comparative analysis of the four cases (municipalities), which will link innovation environments (governance structures, social networks and leadership qualities) to innovation capacity and innovativeness. It begins with a discussion of innovation, and then describes the governance structures in each nation and the ‘innovativeness’ of the four nations and cities. It explores the theoretical importance of social network concepts and leadership dimensions to innovation, and provides an overview of the relationship between structures, networks and leadership and innovation capacity. The analysis provided for the single city of Copenhagen, outlines the framework for the future comparative analysis.

Link: http://www.lipse.org/userfiles/uploads/LIPSE%20WP1%20working%20paper..p…