Title: Innovation in the public sector: the roles of external influences

Authors: Pornthep Anussornnitisarn, Bordin Rassameethes, Kridsada Fankham-ai, Teppo Forss, Petri Helo

Addresses: Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. ' Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. ' Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand. ' University of Vaasa, FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland. ' University of Vaasa, FIN-65101 Vaasa, Finland

Abstract: The study identifies the common factors that contribute to service innovation and improvement for the public sector. Two public agencies, Bantak Hospital and the Department of Corrections, are selected and examined owing to their successful transformations. The findings from these two cases show that, for public agencies, the external factors greatly influence the paradigm shift in an organisation. For Bantak Hospital, becoming more proactive in the community helps improve necessary services to citizens. For the Department of Corrections, a paradigm shift helps change the perception of its staff and administrators in terms of inmate handling and control. This study is sponsored by the Office of the Public Sector Development Commission (OPDC). This agency is expected to continue playing a crucial role in transforming public agencies in Thailand.

Keywords: service innovation; learning; paradigm shift; public sector; Thailand; public agencies; external factors; public services.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIL.2010.032934

International Journal of Innovation and Learning, 2010 Vol.7 No.4, pp.467 - 477

Published online: 05 May 2010 *

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