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Multi‐actor Resource Integration: A Service Approach in Public Management
Author(s) -
Eriksson Erik,
Hellström Andreas
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
british journal of management
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.407
H-Index - 108
eISSN - 1467-8551
pISSN - 1045-3172
DOI - 10.1111/1467-8551.12414
Subject(s) - business , knowledge management , resource (disambiguation) , public sector , service (business) , public relations , competition (biology) , public service , private sector , marketing , economics , computer science , political science , economic growth , computer network , ecology , economy , biology
This paper addresses a service approach in public management by highlighting the insufficiently explored concept of resource integration. Specifically, we identify the actors who contribute to such integration, as well as the kind of resources they bring. The empirical material draws from two action research cases in cancer care, suggesting that, for complex challenges, resource‐integrating actors may represent public, private and third‐sector organizations, citizens/service users, as well as their private spheres. Moreover, resources may be both tangible and, more importantly, intangible. Because all actors in the system are doing the same thing – integrating resources – multi‐actor resource integration frames interorganizational collaboration and citizen/user co‐production. In contrast to the private sector's foci on profit and customer satisfaction, the gain herein concerns better usage of common resources and addressing public interests – such as access to services that meet the needs of disregarded groups. In the complex realities of contemporary societies, actors from all sectors should help meet such needs through collaborative resource integration rather than competition.