Policy reinvention has received substantial scholarly attention. However, little is known about how reinvention at different government levels influences policy implementation outcomes. This study examines the dynamics of multilevel policy reinvention within vertical authority structures. The findings demonstrate that while municipal policy reinvention positively contributes to policy outcomes, excessive policy reinvention at the provincial level can impede municipal policy performance. Contrary to our expectation, faster provincial adoption weakens the positive relationship between municipal reinvention and policy performance. An exploratory typological analysis further shows that conservative reinvention is associated with significantly better outcomes than prudent reinvention. Robustness analyses confirm the stability of these theoretical claims. These findings contribute to a more nuanced understanding of intergovernmental policy processes and offer practical insights into achieving better alignment between policy reinvention efforts across government tiers and policy implementation performance.
Debates over the effectiveness of policy implementation networks and the role of network management have attracted considerable scholarly attention in recent decades. Research has focused on the tasks network managers perform, proposing that network management improves network performance. This study takes a step back by investigating why some network managers intervene in their networks more intensively than others, addressing an important research gap. Using data from 13 Swiss smoking prevention networks, this article bridges the research on policy implementation and public management by analyzing how organizational features and implementation context-related factors jointly influence managerial action within collaborative policy delivery networks. Rather than assuming that managerial activity is driven by single factors, this paper employs Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) alongside in-depth case study evidence to identify combinations of factors that shape the level of managerial activity. The study suggests that high-intensity network management in mandated networks is shaped by the interplay of network managers’ organizational affiliation (public vs. non-state), the presence or absence of goal conflicts, the level of resources available for network management, and the existence of ties within the network. It finds that NGO-affiliated network managers are more likely to apply high-intensity network management – either proactively under favorable conditions or reactively when facing challenges – while public managers typically engage less due to structural constraints or managerial preferences. By conceptualizing network management as a phenomenon situated at the intersection of organizational structure and implementation context, this study offers a more integrated understanding of how public service delivery is coordinated in complex governance settings.
Place leadership theory explains how collaborative leadership among local actors shapes the development of places and the well-being of local populations. Prior research has concentrated primarily on the role of public authorities in places. However, other stakeholders, such as non-profit organizations, also contribute to fulfilling the needs of local populations. This research examines local foundations, a distinct subgroup within the non-profit sector, which are committed to enhancing the quality of life in their operational areas. We build on the theoretical assumption that non-profit organizations provide services when markets and governments fail. Based on interviews with three foundations in the cross-border region of the Upper Rhine (France, Germany, and Switzerland), we investigate the role of foundations in increasing the quality of life in places. To triangulate our findings, we also interview stakeholders from the public and private sectors, target groups, and civil society organizations. Our findings show that foundations exercise place leadership through informal power, knowledge sharing, and flexible networks that foster dialogue and coordination among local stakeholders, including strong ties to public-sector actors. Their endowment-based resources enable independent project implementation and position foundations as genuine place leaders that create public value by filling those gaps left by market and government failures.
Constructive cooperation between municipal administrations and independent public service providers, including non-governmental organisations (NGOs), establishes favourable conditions for the development and dissemination of best practices in the delivery of high-quality social services. This research aimed to assess the development and effectiveness of cooperation between a municipal administration and NGOs in delivering social services, using Marijampolė municipality as a case study. A qualitative empirical approach, comprising interviews and focus group discussions, was employed. The Stakeholder Relationship Management Maturity (SRMM) model was used to evaluate the level of cooperation. The municipality chosen for the present analysis is distinguished by a substantial presence of NGOs actively delivering services. The research findings indicate that, according to the SRMM model, the maturity of cooperation between municipal administrations and NGOs in providing social services is primarily at the procedural level, whereas relational aspects are evident within the process standardisation dimension. To foster mature cooperation, it is recommended that participants within the cooperation network establish a shared vision regarding the future of social service provision and the role of NGOs. The findings of the empirical research underscore the necessity for participants in a cooperation network to cultivate competencies essential for sustaining and enhancing cooperation (e.g. communication, conflict resolution) and highlight the importance of establishing a unified culture of cooperation. Keywords: NGOs; social service;, maturity of co-operation; municipality; co-creation; provision of public services.
Healthcare systems face ongoing challenges that require reforms to enhance innovation, accessibility, and efficiency. Lithuania’s healthcare reform aims to enhance equity, quality, and sustainability by reorganising its service network. However, implementation has revealed unintended effects, including “network compression”, where large hospitals absorb services from smaller regional facilities, deepening regional inequality and limiting accessibility for rural populations. A qualitative research method with 22 informants was employed. Healthcare professionals are reporting growing fatigue, increased administrative burdens, and a decline in empathy in patient care. These outcomes highlight how efficiency-oriented policies can unintentionally depersonalise services and marginalise regional healthcare providers. Based on interviews with healthcare professionals, this study examines how reforms transform everyday clinical practices and local service delivery. The findings underscore the need to balance efficiency-driven reforms with empathy, professional autonomy, and equitable access to healthcare. Keywords: unintended consequences; urban–rural divide; health service; reform.
