An exploration of co-production in two Welsh contexts: A qualitative and comparative approach

Williams, Hannah 2024. An exploration of co-production in two Welsh contexts: A qualitative and comparative approach. PhD Thesis, Cardiff University. Item availability restricted.

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Abstract

This thesis compares two cases of co-production in Welsh social care, utilising a qualitative approach including 65 semi-structured interviews, meeting observations, document analysis and policy analysis. It explores the Welsh policy context surrounding co-production, the forms of co-production that exist in the public and third sectors, how the different forms of co-production support public value creation, and how the challenges and opportunities for co-production differ based on organisational settings. The overall focus is the implementation and practice of co-production, exploring macro (state), meso (sectoral) and micro (organisational) level influences. In case study one, Public Care, interviews were conducted with participants comprising NHS and County Council management, operational and frontline staff. In case study two, Community Care, interviews were conducted with third sector workers and volunteers. Across both cases, meeting observations and document analysis were undertaken. Policy scoping interviews were conducted with key policy actors, alongside an analysis of Welsh policy and legislation. This thesis is a story of co-production that makes several empirical, conceptual, theoretical and methodological contributions. The first contribution centres around how different forms of co-production create public value and explores whether co-production and public value aspirations are shaped by macro influences. The second contribution is to understanding of how co-production develops, focusing on the opportunities associated with each form of co-production at the macro, meso and micro levels. The role of staff in enabling co-production is emphasised. The third contribution details the sustainability of co-production in the public versus third sector, exploring the macro and meso factors impeding co-production, alongside how the hybrid nature of Welsh public management influences the practice of co-production. Finally, this thesis offers a methodological contribution as a lack of comparison due to the prevalence of single case studies has been highlighted by authors

Item Type:	Thesis (PhD)
Date Type:	Completion
Status:	Unpublished
Schools:	Schools > Business (Including Economics)
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General)
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	17 February 2025
Date of Acceptance:	17 February 2025
Last Modified:	17 Feb 2025 10:43
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/176241

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