Innovations in governance in the contemporary commonwealth

Abstract

As shown by the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration and Management (CAPAM)'s Innovation Awards along with numerous other innovation programs worldwide, there is grand capacity in all corners of the world to reinvent and launch innovative practices in government. This study analyses such innovative trends in Commonwealth states, using entries submitted for the biennial CAPAM Innovation Awards'. Although problems and challenges differ from one country to another, sharing good practices and networking governments is a step forward in instilling innovation in the daily lexicon of public administration. This dissertation is set to examine what makes the CAPAM award wining submissions successful and analyse policy statements. Because it is comparative, with access to a data set numbering several detailed submissions, this study can examine a range of perspectives and attitudes among different countries towards the implementation of innovation in their public administration. This dissertation focuses on pivotal themes including: barriers and enablers of innovation in governance; the management of good practices in governance; transferability/replication of good practices in governance; and also analyses whether the 'CAPAM Innovation Awards' reflects broader thinking about public sector innovation. The final chapter summarizes what has been learned through the findings and proposes recommendations and conclusions with regards to fostering an innovative climate in governance.