The challenges of informed citizen participation in change

Abstract

Purpose – The paper analyses discussion about public service organisational innovation and change in strategic plans as a potential source of information informing citizen participation. Design/methodology/approach – The strategic plans of 24 different UK public service organisations were analysed using NVivo. Findings – The strategic plans did not provide comprehensive information about organisational innovations and changes taking place. However, the rationales for why public service organisations were changing were evident. Research limitations/implications – The research was based upon a small sample and only a single communication channel (the strategic plans) was analysed. Originality/value – The paper highlights the challenges of informing citizens about forthcoming organisational innovation and change in public service organisations and suggests ways forward.