Strategy content and public service provider performance in the UK: An alternative approach

Hodgkinson, I.R.; Hughes, P.

doi:10.1111/padm.12090

Strategy content and public service provider performance in the UK: An alternative approach

Hodgkinson, I.R.; Hughes, P.

Authors

I.R. Hodgkinson

P. Hughes

Abstract

This article presents an alternative empirical test of the relationship between strategy content and service provider performance. Strategy content, conceptualized as comprising strategic stance and strategic action, has been shown to be a means to improve public service performance. We contribute to this growing body of research by deriving an alternative typology of strategy to better reflect competitive conditions in the public sector, which existing strategy typologies cannot fully explain. By assuming that public service providers must follow strategies best suited to their internal and external conditions for improved performance, we evaluate the significance of ‘fit’ between alternative strategic stances and organizational characteristics. Compromising the delivery of a strategy invariably leads to a misfit between strategy and what the service provider is actually doing. We highlight how to optimize strategic fit, to maximize service provider performance. Conclusions are drawn for public management theory and practice.

Citation

Hodgkinson, I., & Hughes, P. (2014). Strategy content and public service provider performance in the UK: An alternative approach. Public Administration, 92(3), 707-726. https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12090

Journal Article Type	Article
Acceptance Date	Nov 15, 2013
Publication Date	Sep 1, 2014
Deposit Date	Jul 30, 2015
Publicly Available Date	May 22, 2016
Journal	Public Administration
Print ISSN	0033-3298
Electronic ISSN	1467-9299
Publisher	Wiley
Peer Reviewed	Peer Reviewed
Volume	92
Issue	3
Pages	707-726
DOI	https://doi.org/10.1111/padm.12090
Public URL	https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1434353

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Copyright Statement
This is the accepted version of the following article: Hodgkinson, I. R. and Hughes, P. (2014) 'Strategy content and public service provider performance in the UK : an alternative approach.', Public Administration, 92(3): 707-726, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/padm.12090. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance With Wiley Terms and Conditions for self-archiving.