Abstract
This article brings together empirical academic research on public sector innovation. Via a systematic literature review we investigate 181 articles and books on public sector innovation, published between 1990 and 2014. These studies are analysed based on the following themes: (1) the definitions of innovation, (2) innovation types, (3) goals of innovation, (4) antecedents of innovation and (5) outcomes of innovation. Based upon this analysis, we develop an empirically-based framework of potentially important antecedents and effects of public sector innovation. We propose three future research suggestions: (1) more variety in methods: moving from a qualitative dominance to using other methods, such as surveys, experiments and multi-method approaches; (2) emphasize theory development and testing as studies are often theory-poor; and (3) conduct more cross-national and cross-sectoral studies, linking for instance different governance and state traditions to the development and effects of public sector innovation.
Keywords:
• Systematic review
• Innovation
• Public sector
• Public entrepreneurship
Original language | English |
---|---|
Pages (from-to) | 146-166 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Public Administration |
Volume | 94 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 |
Research programs
- ESSB PA
- EUR ESSB 25