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Co-production from a Third-Sector Perspective

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The Palgrave Handbook of Co-Production of Public Services and Outcomes

Abstract

Despite co-production theory’s versatility in explaining collective forms of public service delivery, it does not receive much attention in third-sector theory or research. This chapter introduces the reader to major theories of third-sector behaviour, focusing on those with the most interest in joint nonprofit-government action. The chapter argues that co-production may help to close a gap in third-sector theory development, which has been criticised for too much emphasis on demand-side considerations and on a residual view of nonprofit behaviour vis-à-vis the state, market and community. Co-production, by contrast, takes a supply-side view and speaks to the contemporary, systems-oriented view of service delivery across the sectors. However, when co-productive activity is carried out by organised, nonprofit action, problems of public accountability must be addressed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA

    Beth Gazley

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  1. Beth Gazley
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Correspondence to Beth Gazley .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK

    Elke Loeffler

  2. INLOGOV, School of Government, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK

    Tony Bovaird

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Gazley, B. (2021). Co-production from a Third-Sector Perspective. In: Loeffler, E., Bovaird, T. (eds) The Palgrave Handbook of Co-Production of Public Services and Outcomes. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-53705-0_12

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