Public Sector’s Innovativeness: Theoretical and Methodological Perplexities

  • Ljubinka Joksimovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics
  • Slavica Manic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics
  • Danica Jovic University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics

Abstract

Research question: This article considers the problems of measuring public sector innovation by asking the question whether and why interpretation of the achievements regarding the public sector innovativeness might be questionable. Motivation: The most recent literature on public sector innovation reveals two perspectives. One of them is assertion that the public sector suffers an innovation deficit, while the other claims that it is actually more innovative than a common credit. Insights in the results from recent large studies of measuring public sector innovation have shown very high rates of innovations, higher than in private sector (between 50 % and 80 % of respondents have recorded at least one type innovation during the period of two years). The lack of a uniquely, or at least dominant, attitude regarding the above-mentioned standpoints represents the basic inspiration for the actualization of this problem. Idea: The aim of the paper is twofold: 1) to offer an overview of three established theoretical attempts (assimilation, demarcation and integrative) dealing with public sector innovation, in order to present the evolution of the issue; 2) to prove that the inclination to more general over contextually specific understanding of innovation (and vice versa) has an impact both on its operationalization and on the interpretation of the achievements. Findings: In spite of the fact that theoretical considerations show noticeable detachment from assimilation perspective, empirical studies still copy this approach and the associated methodology. Surveys introduced subjectivity through arbitrary interpretation of the innovation concept, choice of research techniques and respondents and using of non-measurable goals as indicators of innovation outputs. Since this has affected and overrated their outcomes, we have found that empirical studies have not provided reliable depiction of the state of affairs regarding the PSI. Contribution: Having presented theoretical and methodological arguments why relying on the assimilation approach is neither the only nor even the most adequate way to answer the question whether the  public sector is more innovative than the private one, we point to the necessity of using the other two approaches, particularly integrative one in order to find a coherent method of PSI measurement.

Author Biographies

Ljubinka Joksimovic, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics

Ljubinka Joksimovic is a full professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, at the Economic Theory and Analysis Department, where she teaches the following courses: Comparative Economic Systems, Economics of the European Union, Institutions and Economic Development, Competitiveness Policy, Theory and Analysis of the Public Choice. She is the author and co-author of numerous monographs, textbooks and papers in leading national and international scientific journals. The key areas of her scientific research interest are institutional economics, public policy and comparative economics.

Slavica Manic, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics

Slavica Manic is an associate professor at the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, at the Economic Theory and Analysis Department. Her teaching commitments refer to the following courses: Methods of Economic Analysis, Competitiveness Policy and Economics of Transition. She has published (as author and co-author) numerous papers in national and international scientific journals, some of them presented at relevant conferences. She participated in the realization of TEMPUS programme, CEEPUS activities and many national research projects. The main fields of her interest and research are economic development and methodology of economics.

Danica Jovic, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Economics

Danica Jovic has graduated, earned the MSc degree and obtained the PhD degree from the Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, where she teaches Financial Accounting. She is an authorized accountant and member of the Association of Accountants and Auditors of Serbia. Danica Jović has published scientific and professional papers primarily in the areas of financial reporting and corporate governance. She participated in national and international conferences, as well as in the scientific projects of the Ministry of Science and Technology of the Republic of Serbia. The main fields of her interest are public sector reforms and their impact on evaluating performance and financial reporting of public sector entities.

Published
2018-03-03
How to Cite
Joksimovic, L., Manic, S., & Jovic, D. (2018). Public Sector’s Innovativeness: Theoretical and Methodological Perplexities. Management:Journal Of Sustainable Business And Management Solutions In Emerging Economies, 23(1), 53-62. doi:10.7595/management.fon.2018.0001
Section
Articles