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/lp/ios-press/intermediaries-in-the-public-sector-and-the-role-of-information-BbRZ5lwgkC
- Publisher
- IOS Press
- Copyright
- Copyright © 2016 IOS Press and the authors. All rights reserved
- ISSN
- 1570-1255
- eISSN
- 1875-8754
- DOI
- 10.3233/IP-160387
- Publisher site
- See Article on Publisher Site
Abstract
This study focuses on private intermediaries in the course of public servicedelivery. Typically, intermediaries facilitate the matching process betweencitizens or companies that have to fulfill certain obligations togovernments and government agencies. Therefore, intermediaries cancontribute fundamentally to bypassing red tape. In this study, we go beyondimproving service to explore the role of ICT on private intermediaries andtheir relation to public administration. In particular, we aim to clarifyhow private intermediaries act and whether information technology canstrengthen or weaken their roles.Methodologically, we use a single case because this issue is stillunexplored and therefore open for investigating intermediaries at theirinterface with public administration. Specifically, we chose the case ofplant approval procedures under the German Federal Control of Pollution Actbecause plant approval is characterized by high complexity and privateintermediaries have been active in that area for many years. Regarding ourchosen theoretical lens, we go beyond a narrow focus on the economictheories that are often used in the business administration literature inintermediary research. Instead, we frame intermediaries as boundary spannersand ICTs as boundary objects.
Journal
Information Polity – IOS Press
Published: Jan 1, 2016