Guardians of Public Value : How Public Organisations Become and Remain Institutions

This open access book presents case studies of twelve organisations which the public have come to view as institutions. From the BBC to Doctors Without Borders, from the Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra to CERN, this volume examines how some organisations rise to prominence and remain in high public esteem through changing and challenging times. It builds upon the scholarly tradition of institutional scholarship pioneered by Philip Selznick, and highlights common themes in the stories of these highly diverse organizations; demonstrating how leadership, learning, and luck all play a role in becoming and remaining an institution. This case study format makes this volume ideal for classroom use and practitioners alike. In an era where public institutions are increasingly under threat, this volume offers concrete lessons for contemporary organisation leaders. Arjen Boin is Professor of Public Institutions and Governance at the Department of Political Science, Leiden University, Netherlands. Paul 't Hart is Professor of Public Administration at the Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University, Netherlands. Lauren A. Fahy is a PhD Fellow at the Utrecht School of Governance, Utrecht University, Netherlands Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Figures List of Tables 1 Guardians of Public Value: How Public Organizations Become and Remain Institutions Institutions as Enigmas How Do We Know an Institution When We See One? Institutions as Guardians of Public Value Are Institutions ‘Good’ by Definition? Studying the Rise and Fall of Public Institutions Schools of thought The Analytical Approach of This Volume Task 1: Shape the Identity of the Organization Task 2: Build and Nurture a Workforce That Can Deliver (and Loves to Do That) Task 3: Preserve a Strong Relation with the Authorizing Environment A Catalogue of Institutions: Introducing the Case Studies What Do the Cases Tell Us About the Dynamics of Institutions? Pattern 1: Virtuous Cycles Pattern 2: Institution-Building Leadership Pattern 3: Mature Management of Conflict Pattern 4: Adaptive Capacity The Future of Institutions in Turbulent Times References 2 The Election Commission of India: Guardian of Democracy From Quiescent Bureaucracy to Powerful Institution1 The Indian Election Commission in the Time of Congress Dominance and Decline A Turning Point The Pivotal Role of the Entrepreneurial Chief Election Commissioner Institutional Development and Evidence of Mandate Expansion Model Code Implementation Election Duration Credibility: The EC’s Core Institutional Currency Return to Quiescence? Conclusion Questions for Discussion References 3 Singapore’s Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau: Guardian of Public Integrity From Crooked Cops to a Valued Institution The CPIB as an Institution The CPIB’s Structure, Functions and Tasks CPIB’s Institutionalization The 1960 Prevention of Corruption Act (POCA) Driving Forces of Sustained Institutionalization Lessons for Agency Design and Leadership Political Will and Continued Support Adequate Legislative Backing and Mandate Clearly Defined and Demarcated Roles and Responsibilities Competitive Compensation and a Performance Culture Questions for Discussion References 4 The BBC: Guardian of Public Understanding An Institution at the Crossroads The Birth of the BBC A Very British Institution Structures, Crises, Adaptations Craft Governance Leaders and Members Precedent as Compass Today’s Challenge: A Revolution in the Architecture of Understanding Conclusion: The Interconnectedness of Decency Questions for Discussion References 5 Sweden’s Riksbank: Guardian of Monetary Integrity The Oldest Central Bank in the World Central Banks as Institutions The Parliament’s Bank The Politics of Independence Rising to the Challenge of Economic Crisis The 1991–1993 Recession The Post-2008 Great Recession Debates and Innovations Institutionalizing Central Banks: Lessons from the Swedish Case Questions for Discussion References 6 The European Court of Justice: Guardian of European Integration A Most Influential Court Foundation, Organization and Impact The Institutionalization of the Court A Clear Mission: Furthering ‘Europe’ A Dedicated Workforce A High Level of Legitimacy Explaining Institutionalization: Path Dependency and Institutional Leadership Creating a Mission Engineering Cohesion Protecting and Adapting the Institution The Unplanned Institutionalization of the ECJ Questions for Discussion References 7 The Amsterdam Concertgebouw Orchestra: Guardian of Symphonic Music An Institution Under Pressure An Auspicious Beginning Institution-Building Leadership Tensions and Conflicts Post-War Consolidation: Towards Self-Governance Dealing with New Maestros Balancing Artistic and Commercial Interests A New Lease on Life Thriving Despite Turbulence: A Resilient Institution Maintaining Balance in the Face of Future Challenges Questions for Discussion References 8 The World Anti-Doping Agency: Guardian of Elite Sport’s Credibility Introduction A Moral Crisis in Elite Sport A Global Public–Private Body Establishing Performance and Reputation Mission Mystique in a Challenging Environment Mission Passion and Commitment Transparency, Autonomy and Renewal An Institutional Crisis Challenges to Institutional Resilience WADA’s Experience in Perspective Questions for Discussion References 9 CERN: Guardian of the Human Aspiration to Understand the Universe High Modernity in Geneva Working on a Dream: Building CERN The Early Years: Overcoming Challenges Achieving Momentum How CERN Is Governed and Managed Smart Institutional Design A Conducive Culture The Importance of Leadership A Path-Dependent Collaborative Regime A Case in Point: The Large Hadron Collider Project Sustaining the Mystique: Challenges of Consolidation Questions for Discussion References 10 Rijkswaterstaat: Guardian of the Dutch Delta Ruler of the Dutch Delta1 The Birth of Rijkswaterstaat Building the Institution: Professionalism and Technocracy Water Wizards A Technocratic Mission Mystique Under the Gun: Turbulent Times Riding the Waves of Change Through Proactive Adaptation The Ecological Turn: Integrated Water Management and Impact Assessment The Managerial Turn: Efficiency Operations and New Forms of Project Management The Strategic Turn: Scenario Thinking and Organizational Learning Towards a New Managerial Mission A New Mission: ‘From A to Better’ HRM as Instrument for Organizational Learning Centralization, Simplification and Standardization The Phoenix Rises Again The Continued Quest for Public Legitimacy Questions for Discussion References 11 Médecins Sans Frontières: Guardian of Humanitarian Values Provocateurs of the Humanitarian Sector MSF as an Institution: A Distinctive Identity and Unique Competence Distinctive Identity: A Truly Independent Organization “Bearing Witness” Unique Competence: Experts in Emergency Medicine MSF’s Institutional Development The 1970s and 1980s: Ideological Battles and Organizational Splits The 1990s: Increasing Recalcitrance The Early 2000s: Professionalization and Internal Criticism From 2010 Onwards: More Provocative Acts How to Remain a Well-Respected Provocateur? Nonconformity as an Institutional Characteristic The Viability of Nonconformity Questions for Discussion References 12 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change: Guardian of Climate Science A Global Authority on Climate Change A Brief History of the IPCC Consequences of Institutional Design The IPCC’s Impact The Creation of Scientific Credibility and Epistemic Authority: Practices and Processes Challenges to the IPCC’s Legitimacy and Authority: Critique and Crisis Climategate: An Existential Crisis Conclusions Questions for Discussion References 13 The ACCC: Guardian of Viable Markets and Consumer Rights Introduction Rooted in History: The ACCC’s Precursors Building the ACCC Crafting a Combative Regulatory Machine Securing Public Legitimacy Adapting to Challenges and Changes The ACCC’s ‘Mission Mystique’: Lessons for Regulatory Institution-Building Reflections Questions for Discussion References Index