Public Value: A Stocktake of a Concept

It has been two decades since the ‘public value’ idea emerged. In this paper we ‘take stock’ of the concept itself and its development. We set out the basics of the public value approach as articulated by Moore (1995) and then we investigate the ways in which his ideas have been interpreted, extended, appropriated and critiqued. In reviewing these we seek both to clarify Moore’s approach and to engage with the current debate around the validity of his ideas. Based on this review we argue that there is an emerging excitement in public value and, using the life-cycle model set out by Hirsch and Levin (1999), we situate the developing critique of public value as part of a predictable battle in the development of new ideas in public sector management.

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