Workplace partnership and public service provision

This article considers the extent to which partnership espoused in Best Value is likely to be compatible with the model of social partnership espoused for employment relations. More specifically, the article seeks to cast light, empirically, on the degree to which Best Value can support the series of mutually supportive arrangements between these external stakeholders while maintaining positive-sum relationships with their unions and staff. The article proceeds as follows. Initially, the study’s methodology is detailed. Following this, the findings obtained from a survey are detailed and discussed. Lastly, a concluding section draws out their key analytical implications.