Post-NPM-style service integration: partnership-based brokerage in elderly care

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the rationale and functioning of the partnership-based brokerage model as a vehicle of service integration with special reference to its support for information intermediation, learning and service market creation. Design/methodology/approach The theor...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The International journal of public sector management 2016-01, Vol.29 (7), p.675-689
Main Authors: Anttiroiko, Ari-Veikko, Valkama, Pekka
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Brokerage
Capacity building approach
Citizens
Collaboration
Consortia
Cost analysis
Effectiveness
Elder care
Facilitation
Geriatrics
Governance
Innovations
Integrated care
Interviews
Networks
New public management
Older people
Partnerships
Politics
Public administration
Public services
Reforms
Service integration
Service learning
Service provision
Stock brokers
Subcontracting
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Summary:Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the rationale and functioning of the partnership-based brokerage model as a vehicle of service integration with special reference to its support for information intermediation, learning and service market creation. Design/methodology/approach The theoretical framework is built on the tension between New Public Management (NPM) and post-NPM thinking, which frames the analysis of the brokerage model for elderly care services in the city of Tampere, Finland. The empirical data are derived from interviews, evaluation reports and existing case descriptions. Findings In the Kotitori model, the broker enhances the capacity building of the city government and the cost-effectiveness of its service provision, provides added value through improved information processes and handles matters relating to subcontracting and the facilitation of the service provider network. The model as a whole reflects the hybridisation of public administration. Even if Kotitori contains many NPM-inspired elements, they are complemented by features derived from New Public Governance and the neo-Weberian local state. The most neglected aspect of post-NPM thinking in the design of Kotitori is citizen centredness. Originality/value This paper broadens the perspective on the role of brokers in public service provision and highlights the multi-dimensionality of the brokerage function. It also shows how such partnership-based brokerage model reflects various aspects of both NPM and post-NPM paradigm.
ISSN:0951-3558
1758-6666
DOI:10.1108/IJPSM-12-2015-0220