Involvement and Cooperation by Multiple Subjects: Innovation of Mechanism in Public Service Provisions Based on Flexible Organizational Networks

Abstract

How to improve public services depends not only on the quantity of investment by governments, but also on the innovation of mechanism involving other multiple social actors. Authors believe that the ‘multi-center’ structure of public service provisions should be advocated. Furthermore, the importance of synergy achieved by cooperation among governments, enterprises, non-profit organizations and insightful citizens should be emphasized. It is necessary for governments to positively seek the innovation of mechanism in the perspective of cooperation and collaboration, especially in a situation which civil society is not matured and undeveloped as well as in other areas where the market competition is weak or immature. Based on the co-governance approach, authors discuss the necessity and feasibility to build the mechanism of flexible organizational networks (FON), which is in principle participation and co-operation of multiple subjects and actors. The role and function of the government, whether central or local, in this mechanism is also analyzed not only in advanced countries but also in developing countries.