Understanding Public Value

What is Public Value?

Exploring Public Value

Public value seems a very easy concept; surely, it is but what is public value?

Alas, the concept is not that easy to understand. As Mark Moore (who is credited with bringing the idea to fruition in 1995 said,

“Public managers create public value. The problem is that they cannot know for sure what that is” (Moore, 1995: 57).

In his latest 2013 book he once again addresses this concern; to “recognize” public values. Moore acknowledges the importance of achieving a performance balance but cautions that its complexity can present difficulties. There is neither a straight forward, fixed, or exact meaning of public value, nor a conclusive way to recognise it.

Before we explore this in detail, you are first invited to watch a brief e-learning activity in which public value is described in fairly basic terms with some practical examples. Having completed this initial exploration, you then have the opportunity to learn a little bit more about the concept of public value within the context of your studies.

Explore the key elements of Public Value through some examples

We wil start by introducing the key elements of public value through this interactive activity

Exploring what Public Value really means ...

Click on the image above to view the activity. When you have finished the activity move on to the reflection section and summary below.

The First Step on the road to public value

As a public leader you need to understand what public value is before you can make a difference by creating and demonstrating public value.

Reflection

We hope that you found the brief e-learning activity helpful in trying to understand the concept of public value. Now that you have completed this activity, please make notes for your end-of-week reflection on your learning based on the following questions:

Reflection #1:

In what ways is healthcare a public value?
In what ways is healthcare a public good?
In what ways does healthcare focus on collective social conditions?

Public value is also used to describe the value an organisation contributes to society, whether it is public, private, or nor for profit.

Public Values are the values that apply to public organisations, such as transparency, accountability, and the right to due process. Private and not for profit organisations may choose to follow these values, but it is essential that public organisations follow them.

Reflection #2:

In what ways does healthcare demonstrate public values?

In summary:

Healthcare organisations create and sustain public value by providing healthcare that reflects citizen desires and aspirations as they are expressed through government. Healthcare organisations provide the public good of healthcare to individuals and also contribute to collective healthy conditions for the general public, through services such as vaccinations. Healthcare leaders ensure their organisations provide these services to a high standard of public values.

Moore, Mark H. (1995). Creating Public Value: Strategic Management in Government. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University Press. (Not available online)

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