How can public accountability more effectively influence key decisions and actions in public sector organizations?

This project seeks to answer this question by connecting two largely separated strands of research: public administration research on real world public sector organizations and experimental research on the effects of different forms of accountability on decision-making. The proposal focuses on a specific and widespread form of accountability: departmental accountability by public sector organizations. We argue that accountability needs to be calibrated to task requirements; different types of tasks can only thrive under calibrated conditions of accountability.

This research project signifies an innovation in the study of public sector accountability because of its cross-disciplinary approach. The prime focus is theoretical – we aim to understand the effects of public sector accountability on crucial decision-making – yet the implications can be profoundly practical and help policy-makers to improve accountability and public services.

The program features various sub projects:

• Cross-disciplinary literature reviews
• A broad comparative, international survey with international colleagues
• A more focused analysis of accountability and governance in some sectors; including culture and arts
• A qualitative-ethnographic PhD-project
• An experimental PhD-project
• A collaborative valorization project with important public sector organizations.

Read the full program here