Corresponding Chair:
Reto Steiner, reto.steiner@zhaw.ch
Description:
Globally, local authorities are significant players in the provision of public services. The local tier is close to the citizens. Therefore, developments such as societal, economical, technological and ecological changes and challenges have a direct and high impact on what services are needed at the local tier of government, and the way these services are being provided. One can assume that digital transformation will change the way municipalities have to be defined in the near future.
The aim of this panel is to discuss the future of service delivery at the local tier of government. Potential topics might include the following:
- What functions should be performed at the local tier of government in the future?
- Do managerial reforms improve service delivery at the local level?
- What is the impact of digital transformation on local service delivery?
- How can local authorities become more responsive?
- What services can be made smart and what does this mean for the organization (structure and processes) of local authorities?
- How are new technologies changing the government-citizen interaction?
This call for papers invites scholars studying public services provision at the local tier of government to reflect theoretically and share empirical research. We especially welcome papers presenting comparative studies that for example compare local service delivery across different policy fields or tiers of government, organizational contexts or countries. A focus on the contribution of digital transformation on the local tier of government is highly appreciated.