Governance and Organization

Objectives

During the last 20 years, major changes have taken place in OECD countries with respect to the way in which public tasks are organized, steered and coordinated. Changes on the macro-level refer to shifts in the task divisions between government, market and society, leading to an ever-growing ‘grey area’ where profit and non-profit organizations are involved together in performing public tasks through liberalized markets or in networks. Changes on the meso-level refer to the fragmentation of tasks across governmental levels and between a multitude of public organizations of all kinds (departments and agencies), calling for new forms of coordination. Changes on the micro-level refer to changes at the level of the individual organization with a trend towards more autonomy and ex post result oriented control. These shifts have resulted in an increasingly complex landscape, where organizations interact with each other, based on hierarchy, market or network.
 
The research group ‘Governance and Organization’ conducts fundamental and policy-relevant research regarding the governance of public tasks. We want to describe and explain the organization, task allocation, control and coordination efforts within individual governments, between governmental levels and between the government and private actors. Based on these scientifically funded insights, we aim to support governments by providing policy advice, research-based education and training and strategic advice.

Specific subfields of study are: autonomy and control of public sector organizations; marketization and regulation; coordination, networks and public-private partnerships; as well as the effects of these trends on internal management and performance of organizations.

Reseach team

• Buttiens Dorien
• Matthys Joery
• Rommel Jan
• Verhoest Koen
• Voets Joris
• Wynen Jan

Some recent research projects

• Governmental organization: Administrational trust (2012 - 2015, Research project)
• Governmental organization: Ex ante evaluation for an effective and efficient policy instrument choice (2012 - 2015, Research project)
• Governmental organization: Governance of cross-cutting policies in agencified governments (2012 - 2015, Research project)
• Governmental organization: Implementation of the ?Policy and Management Cycle? in local government (2012 - 2015, Research project)
• Governmental organization: Talent management (2012 - 2015, Research project)
• Governmental organization: Towards optimal chains of inter-governmental information management (2012 - 2015, Research project)

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Some recent publications

• Van Gestel Kit, Voets Joris, Verhoest Koen (2012). How Governance of Complex PPPs affects Performance. Public Administration, an international quarterly. accepted & forthcoming
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• Verhoest Koen, Demuzere Sara, Rommel Jan (2012). Agencification in Latin Countries: Belgium and its Regions. In: Verhoest Koen, Van Thiel Sandra, Bouckaert Geert & Laegreid Per (Eds.). Government Agencies: Practices and Lessons from 30 Countries. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 84-97
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• Verhoest Koen, Van Thiel Sandra, Bouckaert Geert, Laegreid Per (2012). Government Agencies: Practices and Lessons from 30 Countries. Basingstoke, Hampshire: Palgrave Macmillan. 496 p.
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• Laegreid Per, Roness Paul, Verhoest Koen (2011). Explaining the innovative culture and activities of state agencies. Organization Studies. 32(8): 1-27
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