Abstract-This paper explores whether it is useful to view the fundamental ideas behind the smart city concept through the lens of the 'Public Value Management' (PVM) paradigm. It investigates how appropriate ICT investment in cities might be articulated and valued through the concept of PVM. In order to achieve this, it explores the core concepts found in the PVM literature, and draws key connections to the smart city literature. This data is supported through semi-structured interviews with smart city experts. The aim is to understand the potential value of smart city concepts beyond simple optimisation of city processes and cost cutting. This paper concludes that there are conceptual connections between the PVM paradigm and the smart city. It argues that the types of projects adopted, and their success, are inseparable from the political paradigm within which they are undertaken. As such, it takes the view that adopting the PVM paradigm could support the successful delivery of smart cities, predominantly through the ability to understand value beyond the optimisation of systems.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED), the established definition of words in the English language, is at odds with other definitions of complexity proffered by Complexity Theory. This variance is likely to cause confusion in the delivery community. The incorrect classification of a project between ‘complicated’ and ‘complex’ is considered by some to be a major source of project failure; implying that resolving this issue is critical to successful system development. This paper explores the definition of complexity by assessing definitions from various sources and by conducting a survey of over 100 delivery professionals. The results demonstrate the extent of the confusion and have informed considerations on how to resolve this. This paper recommends that the definition is either defined at the start, or that the term is avoided by using its component parts. This paper proposes supporting an emerging definition that resolves many of the issues, if adopted widely.
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