Political rhetoric surrounding the role of information and knowledge in society in the twenty-first century is often thrown into sharp relief by the realities of practice. Delivering the Vision explores the way in which public service visions have developed globally and how successful they have been in contributing to major social and economic change.
This edited text contains a range of case studies from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, the USA and Australia. Contributors focus both on those factors critical to success and on reasons for failure, but a common theme to emerge across all contributions is the requirement for a clear political vision, commitment and leadership if the shift from traditional forms of social and economic organisation to high-value, knowledge-intensive economies is to be safely negotiated. At the same time, individual case studies provide valuable blueprints for successful implementation of an ambitious public service change agenda.
Delivering the Vision is accessible and relevant to all those interested in the management and reform of public sector organisations. It is a companion volume to the editor's earlier text Managing Information and Knowledge in the Public Sector (Routlegde: 2000)

Political rhetoric surrounding the role of information and knowledge in society in the twenty-first century is often thrown into sharp relief by the realities of practice. Delivering the Vision explores the way in which public service visions have developed globally and how successful they have been in contributing to major social and economic change.
This edited text contains a range of case studies from the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, Canada, the USA and Australia. Contributors focus both on those factors critical to success and on reasons for failure, but a common theme to emerge across all contributions is the requirement for a clear political vision, commitment and leadership if the shift from traditional forms of social and economic organisation to high-value, knowledge-intensive economies is to be safely negotiated. At the same time, individual case studies provide valuable blueprints for successful implementation of an ambitious public service change agenda.
Delivering the Vision is accessible and relevant to all those interested in the management and reform of public sector organisations. It is a companion volume to the editor's earlier text Managing Information and Knowledge in the Public Sector (Routlegde: 2000)

For the public sector, which is globally the largest employer of people and repository of information, managing information and knowledge is an extremely problematic area to address. The essence of both resources is that they are intangible, their impact and value cannot be measured through traditional accounting methods, yet they are also, paradoxically, where the greatest value and potential for improvement is located. In this book Eileen Milner introduces the reader to the concepts of information and knowledge and explores a variety of tools and techniques which may be usefully adopted in actively managing and developing these resources. Wherever possible real-life public sector case studies and examples are used to illustrate good practice, as well as some of the pitfalls of poor application. Down-to-earth and taking into account the critically important characteristics unique to public services, this will be an illuminating text both for managers and policy makers already working in the public sector and for those considering doing so.

Author Biography:
Eileen Milner is a Principal Lecturer in Information Management at the University of North London

The importance of leadership in public services has increased dramatically in the past five years as politicians around the world have sought modernisation and reform. Using international case study material this book examines how ideas of visionary leadership have been developed and discusses their applicability to the public sector. The book covers: - the tensions that can arise between administrative / bureaucratic traditions and the leadership styles required today - the relationship between political leadership and organizational leadership - different approaches that have been adopted by public service leaders in organizations around the globe and their level of success - the extent to which existing theories of leadership are appropriate for a new management context. A welcome addition to the current literature, this book will be invaluable reading for students of public administration as well as practitioners and policy makers in the public services.

Using international case study material, this book examines how ideas of visionary leadership have been developed and discusses their applicability to the public sector. The book covers:

• the tensions that can arise between administrative/bureaucratic traditions and the leadership styles required today
• the relationship between political leadership and organizational leadership
• different approaches that have been adopted by public service leaders in organizations around the globe and their level of success
• the extent to which existing theories of leadership are appropriate for a new management context.

A welcome addition to the current literature, this book will be invaluable reading for students of public administration as well as practitioners and policy makers in the public services.