Continuous Improvement Practice in Local Government: Insights from Australia and New Zealand

Local government plays a critical role in providing governance, infrastructure, and services for local communities. Over the past 30 years, it has undergone significant reforms due to policy changes from superordinate governments. This book seeks to uncover the kinds of continuous improvement practices enacted in various local government contexts, focusing on practices that enable practitioners and researchers to gain insights that go beyond approaches that privilege the application of CI tools over the contextualization of CI programs. The cases presented share insights on aspects of CI, such as embedding performance measurement, harnessing learning, and contextualizing CI activities to support the ongoing sustainability of these practices.

Format: Hardback
Length: 130 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Local government is a vital player in the provision of governance, infrastructure, and services to local communities. Over the past three decades, this sector has undergone significant reforms driven by policy changes at the superordinate government level. Continuous improvement and quality programs have been a common strategic response adopted by various local government organizations to ensure their sustainability and continue delivering value to their constituents. These initiatives have seen varying degrees of success.

This book aims to go beyond a mere tactical approach and explore the diverse continuous improvement practices implemented in various local government contexts. By focusing on practices, practitioners and researchers can gain valuable insights that transcend approaches that prioritize the application of CI tools over the contextualization of CI programs. Contextualization allows for the deployment of programs tailored to the specific needs and dynamics of local communities and operations, leading to more effective and impactful outcomes.

The cases presented in this book offer valuable insights into various aspects of continuous improvement, including:

Embedding performance measurement: This involves integrating performance metrics into decision-making processes and organizational culture to enhance accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Harnessing learning: This involves leveraging data, feedback, and experience to drive learning and improvement across all aspects of the organization.

Contextualizing CI activities to support sustainability: This involves adapting CI practices to align with the long-term goals and objectives of the organization, ensuring their sustainability and relevance over time.

Researchers and practitioners alike can benefit greatly from the grounded industry-based experiences and insights shared in this book. The cases provide practical examples and practical applications of continuous improvement strategies, which can be applied in various local government contexts to drive positive change and enhance the well-being of communities.

In conclusion, local government plays a critical role in shaping the governance, infrastructure, and services of local communities. Through continuous improvement and quality programs, local government organizations can strive to remain sustainable, deliver value, and respond to the changing needs of their constituents. By focusing on practices and contextualizing CI activities, practitioners and researchers can gain valuable insights that can help drive positive change and enhance the well-being of communities.

Weight: 422g
Dimension: 216 x 138 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367820534