Why engage in co-production of public services? Mixing theory and empirical evidence

Abstract

Through processes of co-production, citizens collaborate with public service agents in the provision of public services. Despite the research attention given to co-production, some major gaps in our knowledge remain. One of these concerns the question why citizens engage in processes of co-production of public services. In this article, a theoretical model is built that brings the human factor into the study of co-production. The model explains citizens' engagement in co-production referring to citizens' perceptions of the co-production task and of their competency to contribute to the public service delivery process, citizens' individual characteristics, and their self-interested and community-focused motivations. Empirical evidence from four co-production cases in the Netherlands and Belgium is used to demonstrate the model's usefulness. The academic and practical relevance of the findings and suggestions for further research are discussed. Points for practitionersGovernments seek ways to engage a broad range of citizens, especially as only a limited number of citizens respond to government's initiatives to involve citizens. Insights about citizens' engagement are tested in four cases: Client councils in health care organizations for elderly persons and in organizations for disabled people, representative advisory councils at primary schools, and neighborhood watches. Practitioners can learn more about what drives citizens to engage in co-production. This enables them to improve their methods of participant recruitment.

Co-producing safety in the local community: A Q-methodology study on the incentives of Belgian and Dutch members of neighbourhood watch schemes

“…However, before describing the methods we applied, it is useful to present some recent (theoretical) contributions to the scholarly debate on motivations for co-production. In their theoretical model, Van Eijk and Steen (2016) develop a theoretical model to explain citizens' engagement in coproduction processes. They identify three sets of factors that are expected to influence one's willingness to engage in co-production: (1) citizens' perceptions of the tasks they have to perform as a co-producer and the competencies needed to contribute to the public service delivery process, (2) citizens' individual characteristics, and (3) citizens' self-interest and community focus.…”

Helping Dutch Neighborhood Watch Schemes to Survive the Rainy Season: Studying Mutual Perceptions on Citizens’ and Professionals’ Engagement in the Co-Production of Community Safety

“…This is labeled 'salience' and can either concern the importance of the service delivered to oneself or relatives, or to one's neighborhood or community at large (Pestoff 2012). Community-centered and self-centered motivations can help explain this personal and social salience (Van Eijk and Steen 2016). Yet, salience is necessary but not sufficient for citizens to engage in co-production.…”

“…Citizens also need to be convinced their participation is easy ('ease'), they are able to co-produce ('internal efficacy'), their efforts are worth it as government can/will be responsive ('external efficacy'), and government will perform the required tasks and activities as promised ('trust'). Socioeconomic variables and the social networks citizens are part of impact these considerations (Thijssen and Van Dooren 2016;Bovaird et al 2015;Van Eijk and Steen 2016;Etgar 2008). In other words, citizens' decision whether or not to engage in co-production is layered: first citizens consider the importance ('salience') of the coproduction process, and second they judge the co-production task and their own competency to contribute to the public service delivery process (the related variables 'ease,' 'internal/external efficacy,' and 'trust') (Van Eijk and Steen 2016).…”

“…In the literature, we find examples of professionals who are open, willing to listen and actively share information, who show they are personally involved with the co-producers and their activities, and who are helpful. Their engagement stimulates citizens to feel trusted and valued by their co-producing partner (Fledderus 2015;Van Eijk and Steen 2016); Etgar (2008) even states that co-producers are more likely to get involved in co-production when they expect to find 'empathetic'-or 'engaged'-partners. Studies show that professionals' engagement in co-production is affected by perceptions they hold of their own work activities and the organization they are working for.…”

“…This broadened our insights on issues like who the co-producing partners are, the objectives of co-production, the specific elements of public services or outcomes that are co-produced, the (potential) results/effects of co-production, and how the co-production process is organized (Voorberg et al 2015;Loeffler and Bovaird 2016). Gradually, scholars also start to address the question why citizens and public professionals are willing and able to co-produce; or, differently phrased, why they engage in co-production of public services (e.g., Van Eijk and Steen 2016;Bovaird et al 2015;Van Eijk et al 2017a;Tuurnas 2015).…”