Public Management

The Public Management group analyses how organisational resources in public and non-profit organisations can be used so that public needs are met. Examples of public management questions are: how can we improve performance and patient quality in hospitals? How can we develop more innovative schools without increasing budgets? To what extent do municipal organisations discriminate against minorities and how can this be countered? How do public professionals cope with competing logics? How do public organisations cross boundaries and collaborate, despite strict performance requirements?

We combine insights from public management, public administration and public policy with knowledge from design science, sociology, psychology, economics and related disciplines to tackle the organisation and management of public organisations. Our group values an interdisciplinary and multi-method approach. We collaborate both nationally and internationally.

In our research we focus on key public management topics, specialising in (1) public management and behaviour, (2) public management and public innovation, and (3) public management and public professionalism. In addition, we contribute to related themes, such as networked collaboration, leadership, design, sustainability, technology and digitalisation.

The chairs of Public Governance are prof. Albert Meijer and prof. Lars Tummers.

Public Management and Behaviour

The public management and behaviour team combines insights from public management with psychology and the behavioural sciences more broadly to analyse – among else – how public and private managers negotiate in public-private partnerships, how governments can invoke behaviour change that is also supported by citizens, and how administrative burdens hinder citizens from receiving public services.

Public Management and Public Innovation

The public management and innovation team aims to provide insights in processes of social and technological innovation in the public sector, such as smart city governance, algorithms in healthcare and innovative housing for asylum seekers. These projects aim to enhance our theoretical understanding of drivers, forms, impacts and legitimacy of innovation processes.

Public Management and Public Professionalism

The public management and professionalism team focuses on public professionalism in organisational contexts, set against changing societal and institutional landscapes. We highlight transitions in public professional work, such as medical work, welfare, education, policing, law courts, and we contribute to academic understanding. We study the reconfiguration of professionalism, becoming more hybrid, organising and connective.