Sustainable social services - a co-production perspective

Purpose: This study aims to identify management practices that enhance the provision of social services through co-production. It is based on the assumption that co-produced social services align with the sustainability paradigm. Design/Methodology/Approach: The study's objectives were achieved through a comprehensive literature review and a field survey conducted in December 2022. The survey utilized a questionnaire distributed to 357 local government units (LGUs) functioning as municipalities. To ensure a representative sample that included all types of units, stratified random sampling was employed. These LGUs were distinguished by their classification within a NUTS macro-region. The sampling strata were designed to ensure comparability across macro-regions, with each stratum reflecting the diversity of institutions, categorized into urban municipality offices, urban-rural municipality offices, and rural municipality offices. A limitation of the methodology is the potential for ambiguous interpretations of research questions, leading to responses that may not fully align with the actual conditions. Future research should aim to deepen these findings through qualitative methods. Findings: The study identified key determinants that influence the collaboration between municipalities and organizations involved in social service provision, whether in the market or civil sectors. Research Limitations/Implications: The study has several limitations. First, the reliance on self-reported data from LGUs may introduce bias, as respondents might present their practices more favorably. Second, the focus on Poland limits the generalizability of the findings to other contexts with different political, social, and economic conditions. Implications: The findings suggest that co-produced social services can foster sustainability. Sustainable co-production involves the continuous and meaningful engagement of service users in the design and delivery of services, moving beyond sporadic efforts to establish long-term relationships between professionals and service users. The sustainability of social service provision refers to the ability of involved organizations to adapt to changes in policy, funding, or the needs and preferences of service users. Originality/Value: The research underscores that building relationships with social service providers significantly contributes to meeting social needs effectively, fostering sustainable practices, and making communities more responsive to citizen needs. Enhancing sensitivity to citizen needs is a crucial expectation of municipalities.