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Collaborative cost-cutting: productive efficiency as an interdependency between public organizations

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  • Thomas Elston
  • Muiris MacCarthaigh
  • Koen Verhoest

Abstract

Collaboration between public sector organizations is typically understood as a response to complexity. Agencies collaborate in order to address complex, cross-cutting policy needs that cannot be met individually. However, when organizational size is a constraining factor in public service efficiency, collaboration can also reduce costs by capturing scale economies unavailable to organizations of sub-optimal size. Using organization theory, the article conceptualizes these two different triggers for public sector collaboration, and builds a framework for tracing their wider impact upon the formation, operation, and outcome of inter-agency partnerships. The framework is illustrated, and its implications for future research are explored.

Suggested Citation

  • Thomas Elston & Muiris MacCarthaigh & Koen Verhoest, 2018. "Collaborative cost-cutting: productive efficiency as an interdependency between public organizations," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(12), pages 1815-1835, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:rpxmxx:v:20:y:2018:i:12:p:1815-1835
    DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2018.1438498
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    Cited by:

    1. Germà Bel & Thomas Elston, 2022. ""When the Time is Right: Testing for Dynamic Effects in Collaborative Performance"," IREA Working Papers 202212, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Jul 2022.
    2. Pedro Cavalcante & Gabriela Spanghero Lotta, 2021. "Boundary-Crossing Strategies: Managing Macro Policies in a Federal Government," RAC - Revista de Administração Contemporânea (Journal of Contemporary Administration), ANPAD - Associação Nacional de Pós-Graduação e Pesquisa em Administração, vol. 25(5), pages 200012-2000.

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