A book about learning in public administration
According to the author, the book deals with how disputes push public administration to learn and experiment with collaborative approaches to management.
– It is based on case studies of real-life, longstanding conflicts around public issues like schooling, flood protection, waste management and public space planning. It illustrates why sometimes an administration succeeds – if not in solving a dispute, then at least in establishing new ways of thinking and acting upon public issues.
Based on observation of real life practices
The book is aimed at academics in fields such as public management and administration, but also to some extent, professionals in these fields.
– The book can add value to those who have been or plan to be involved in collaborative governance practices; public officials, representatives of non-governmental or commercial organizations, users of public services and even regular citizens. As the book is based on case studies of public disputes, it illustrates some of the real-life challenges of people who are trying to solve problems important to their community. I think that these case studies may be useful for those who are or plan to be engaged in similar processes, Struminska-Kutra says.
– When I did the research for this book, I learned quite a few interesting things about how people react when they are forced to think and act differently from what they are used to. I have learnt that creativity and willingness to experiment with new solutions requires both individual courage and support from the organizational and institutional environment, she says.
Marta Struminska-Kutra is an associate professor in social innovation, organization and leadership at VID Specialized University.