Accountability in the new public sector: a comparative case study

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to analyse the effect of new public management-based reforms on public accountability in two countries, Italy and Sweden, explaining what strategies can be used to enhance accountability toward citizens. Design/methodology/approach – Two case studies have been analysed in order to compare how public accountability has been enhanced in different cultural and geographical contexts. Findings – In both countries, the enhancement of public accountability is at stake both in the political debate and in the public policies, but the strategies implemented resulted are path dependent especially in the choice between more disclosure and more citizen participation. Research limitations/implications – The paper uses only two case studies and therefore results can hardly be generalised; also the selected cases are both examples of best practice in the two countries. Practical implications – The comparison offers critical insights on the adopted choices to enhance public accountability in two different contexts, also emphasising the role of IT and their possible use. Originality/value – From a theoretical point of view, the paper offers an original framing of the possible strategies to improve accountability toward citizens: more accountability through more disclosure and more accountability through more citizen participation. The empirical analysis analyses the solutions adopted in two different countries aimed at improving accountability toward citizens and their advantages and limitations.