Debate: Surviving complexity: How can public managers cope with dynamism and decay in complex public service systems?

Catherine ; id_orcid 0000-0001-8519-4171 Needham; Emily Burn

doi:10.1080/09540962.2026.2693668

June 30, 2026Public Money & ManagementOpen Access

Debate: Surviving complexity: How can public managers cope with dynamism and decay in complex public service systems?

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Key Points

The aim is to explore how public managers can effectively adapt to the complexities of public service systems.
Analyzing the characteristics of complex adaptive systems in public services.
Discussing strategies used by public managers to handle dynamism and decay.
Reviewing examples of interconnected public service sectors such as health, education, and housing.
Identified key challenges in managing interconnected public services.
Proposed strategies for enhancing adaptability in governance frameworks.
Highlighted the importance of collaborative approaches in addressing systemic complexities.

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Implication

Debate examines how public managers navigate complexity and change in service systems, suggesting new strategies for effective governance.

Abstract

Public services sit within complex adaptive systems. People live interconnected lives, in which their health and social care, education, employment and housing don’t fit the neat silos of governmen...

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Cite This Study

Needham et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a4601a99ed1343031311818 https://doi.org/10.1080/09540962.2026.2693668

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Debate: Surviving complexity: How can public managers cope with dynamism and decay in complex public service systems?

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Debate: Surviving complexity: How can public managers cope with dynamism and decay in complex public service systems?

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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