Public Management Innovation in Improving the Quality of Public Services: A Systematic Literature Review 2015–2025

Chekwume Okolie

doi:10.61656/pmar.v7i1.449

Chekwume Okolie University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria

DOI: https://doi.org/10.61656/pmar.v7i1.449

Keywords: public management innovation, public service quality, collaborative governance, systematic literature review, co-creation

Abstract

Purpose: This study seeks to systematically identify, analyze, and synthesize the scientific literature on public management innovation and its impact on public service quality. The aim is to clarify how innovation strategies contribute to improving responsiveness and effectiveness in contemporary governance.

Method: A Systematic Literature Review (SLR) was conducted using the PRISMA protocol to ensure rigor and transparency. The selection process yielded 10 relevant articles published between 2015 and 2025 from reputable scientific databases, which were then analyzed and synthesized to capture prevailing themes and evidence.

Findings: The review reveals that public management innovation significantly enhances service quality when supported by collaborative governance, citizen co-creation, evidence-based measurement, and adaptive institutional frameworks. However, challenges persist, including organizational resistance to change, inadequate measurement frameworks for innovation outcomes, limited citizen engagement capacity, and fragmented inter-organizational coordination.

Implication: The findings carry theoretical implications by reinforcing the role of innovation as a determinant of public service quality, practical implications by highlighting the need for integrated approaches that combine technological, organizational, and citizen-centered dimensions, and policy implications by urging governments to design strategies that address resistance, strengthen citizen participation, and improve coordination across institutions.

Originality: This study contributes originality by offering a comprehensive synthesis of recent literature on public management innovation through a structured SLR approach. It highlights both the enabling factors and barriers to innovation, providing a nuanced understanding that can guide future research and inform policy-making for sustainable improvements in public service delivery.

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