COPRODUCTION - CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE DELIVERY

• NCJ Number: 62004
• Author(s): G P WHITAKER
• Date Published: 1977
• Length: 24 pages
• Grant Number(s): 43949
• Sponsoring Agency: National Science Foundation
• Sale Source: National Institute of Justice/
• Publication Type: Report (Study/Research)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: AN EARLIER VERSION OF THIS PAPER WAS PRESENTED AT THE 1978 CONFERENCE ON PARTICIPATION AND POLITICS, TUTZING ACADEMY, TUTZING, GERMANY, JUNE 5-9

Annotation

THE WAYS IN WHICH CITIZENS INFLUENCE THE CONTENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES THROUGH THEIR DIRECT PARTICIPATION IN SERVICE DELIVERY ARE EXAMINED.

Abstract

CITIZENS PARTICIPATE IN THE EXECUTION OF PUBLIC POLICIES IN SEVERAL WAYS: (1) THEY EXERT INFLUENCE OVER KINDS OF ACTIVITIES AGENCIES CONDUCT AND THE WAY THE ACTIVITIES ARE DISTRIBUTED WHEN THEY REQUEST PUBLIC ASSISTANCE, (2) CITIZENS INFLUENCE PUBLIC POLICY WHEN THEY COOPERATE OR DO NOT COOPERATE WITH ACTIVITIES REQUESTED BY PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND (3) CITIZENS' SERVICE EXPECTATIONS INTERACT WITH THOSE OF THE PROVIDER. THE FORMS OF PARTICIPATION COME FROM INDIVIDUAL CITIZENS BUT THEY INFLUENCE THE WHOLE COMMUNITY. THE KINDS OF REQUESTS CITIZENS MAKE INFLUENCE THE WORKLOAD OF MANY AGENCIES. THE KINDS OF ASSISTANCE CITIZENS PROVIDE LIMIT THE TYPES OF PROGRAMS AGENCIES CAN IMPLEMENT. AGENCIES SHOULD FIND WAYS TO DEAL WITH THE LIMITS WHICH CITIZENS IMPOSE AND THE OPPORTUNITIES THEY OFFER. AGENTS SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED TO USE THEIR OWN GOOD JUDGMENT AND SHARE SERVICE RESPONSIBILITY WITH CLIENTS. COPRODUCTION IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT FOR SERVICES INTENDED TO CHANGE THE BEHAVIOR OF THE PERSON BEING SERVED (FOR EXAMPLE PATIENT COMPLIANCE WITH DOCTOR'S ADVICE). IGNORING COPRODUCTION HAS LED TO AN OVERRELIANCE ON SERVICE AGENTS AND BUREAUCRACY. IT IS NECESSARY TO EXAMINE THE WAYS IN WHICH AGENCIES CAN FACILITATE COPRODUCTION MOST APPROPRIATE TO THE SERVICES THEY DELIVER. FOOTNOTES ACCOMPANY THE TEXT. (RFC)