Innovation in the Public Sector: A Systematic Review and Future Research Agenda

Hanna Vries, Victor Bekkers, LG Tummers

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

718 Citations (Scopus)
631 Downloads (Pure)

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 languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)146-166
Number of pages21
JournalPublic Administration
Volume94
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016

Research programs

  • ESSB PA
  • EUR ESSB 25

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