Investigating the contribution of community empowerment policies to successful co-production- evidence from Scotland

Steiner, Artur and McMillan, Carolyn and Hill OConnor, Clementine (2023) Investigating the contribution of community empowerment policies to successful co-production- evidence from Scotland. Public Management Review, 25 (8). pp. 1587-1609. ISSN 1471-9037 (https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2022.2033053)

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Abstract

Although frequently perceived as a ‘woolly’ policy concept and a means to reduce public service delivery costs, co-production can lead to increased quality and efficiency of services. In this paper, we explore the contribution of a community empowerment policy to co-production processes. Analysing empirical findings from a mixed-method, longitudinal study through the lens of Myers et al.’s (2017) Theory of Change, the paper develops a model of a successful co-production process. We show that changes in working practices and shifts in power can create friction between co-producing actors. By critiquing specific policies, we inform future co-production research, policy, and practice.

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