Public Value: A Stocktake of a Concept

25 Pages Posted: 16 Sep 2011

See all articles by John Alford

John Alford

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School; Australia and New Zealand School of Government

Janine L. O'Flynn

University of Melbourne - School of Social and Political Sciences; Australia and New Zealand School of Government

Date Written: April 1, 2008

Abstract

It has been two decades since the ‘public value’ idea emerged. In this paper we ‘take stock’ of the concept itself and its development. We set out the basics of the public value approach as articulated by Moore (1995) and then we investigate the ways in which his ideas have been interpreted, extended, appropriated and critiqued. In reviewing these we seek both to clarify Moore’s approach and to engage with the current debate around the validity of his ideas. Based on this review we argue that there is an emerging excitement in public value and, using the life-cycle model set out by Hirsch and Levin (1999), we situate the developing critique of public value as part of a predictable battle in the development of new ideas in public sector management.

Keywords: public value, public management, public administration

Suggested Citation

Alford, John and O'Flynn, Janine L. and O'Flynn, Janine L., Public Value: A Stocktake of a Concept (April 1, 2008). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1927671 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1927671

John Alford

University of Melbourne - Melbourne Business School

200 Leicester Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053 3186
Australia

Australia and New Zealand School of Government ( email )

Level 4, 161 Barry Street
Carlton, Vic 3053
Australia

Janine L. O'Flynn (Contact Author)

University of Melbourne - School of Social and Political Sciences ( email )

185 Pelham Street
Carlton, Victoria 3053
Australia

Australia and New Zealand School of Government ( email )

Level 4, 161 Barry Street
Carlton, Vic 3053
Australia

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