A collaborative and participatory approach to public service innovation: Health sector dynamics and outlook
Abstract
This article explores the dynamics of collaborative and participatory innovations in public health services using Chen et al.’s (2020) typology. Based on a mixed survey of projects awarded under the national “Droits des usagers de la santé” initiative, the study finds that user participation primarily generates operational and capacity-oriented innovations frequently involving external partnerships. The analysis highlights the crucial interactions between internal and external dynamics, identifying essential conditions for successful innovations: effective mobilization of internal resources, robust institutional support, and early and active user involvement. However, the study also identifies limitations in citizen engagement, particularly in the evaluation phase of innovations. The article concludes by suggesting avenues for enhancing full co-creation processes in public services to maximize public value.