| dc.description.abstract | This thesis explores how innovation activities are managed and controlled in the public sector. Extensive empirical research emphasizes the necessity of innovation and the application of an appropriate management control system (MCS) to ensure efficient and effective innovation processes. Most studies, however, focus on the private sector, although the public sector accounts for significant parts of the overall economy and is at least as dependent on effective and efficient innovation processes to continue providing services to society. Therefore, this qualitative exploratory study combines all three elements, i.e., innovation, management control, and the public sector. It thereby seeks to reveal the existing MCSs for innovation activities in public sector organizations (PSOs) and assess to what extent they contribute to efficient and effective innovation processes.
Simons' levers-of-control (LoC) framework forms the thesis’ foundation – both for the data collection and analysis and for the presentation and discussion of the findings. Using purposive sampling, data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using a standard procedure in qualitative content analysis.
Overall findings indicate several common features and some prominent exceptions, both in terms of what the existing MCSs for innovation in the public sector are and to what extent these contribute to efficient and effective innovation processes.
The study lays an empirical basis for future research on MCSs for innovation activities in PSOs and contributes to LoC research related to MCS and innovation.
Keywords: Public sector, innovation, innovation management, IMC, innovation management control, management control, MCS, management control systems, levers of control | |
