Co-Creation

PMR — pp. 1-28 2026-06-28 Original Beyond co-creation: how non-profit organizations create public value in complex social challenges Caitlin McMullin, Alessandro Sancino Abstract This article explores how public value is created in the complex and contested field of refugee integration, identifing three key arenas – service delivery, social and community activities, and advocacy – whereby NPOs create value in the multiple domains of refugee integration. We develop a conceptual model illustrating mechanisms of public value creation from the perspective of NPOs (full co-creation, societal creation of value between volunteers and service users only, and contestation), highlighting the roles of local and refugee volunteers. We contribute to public management scholarship by advancing theoretical understanding of how value is created in politicized policy fields and by whom.

PMR — pp. 1-31 2026-06-12 Original Co-creation in commissioning complex public services: towards an adaptive system for continuous improvement Taina Schneider, Harri Raisio, Anniina Tirronen, Harri Jalonen

PMR — pp. 1-29 2026-05-25 Original Cocreating service innovations in European public libraries Anthony Arundel, Nordine Es-Sadki, Paul Windrum, Luis Rubalcaba Abstract This study uses survey data for 543 European libraries to investigate the effect of co-creation and other factors on the usefulness of knowledge for innovation obtained from four groups: library users, non-management staff, non-profits and businesses. The study finds that 24.3% of libraries develop a 'high priority' innovation through co-creation with library users. Co-creation has a substantial positive effect on the usefulness of knowledge obtained from all four groups. The knowledge of non-managerial library staff on user needs can partly substitute for user engagement. The results support the importance of drawing on multiple knowledge sources within a library innovation ecosystem.