Public service ecosystems: The essential context for managing with purpose in public services

The concept of the ecosystem has become popular in the management field. Often, though, it is used as a simple metaphor for complex and interactive environments. This symposium will explore the concept further. Focusing upon public administration and management, it will examine the key dimensions of ecosystems and their application – both as a research and evaluative framework and as a guide to policy and practice. The symposium argues that focusing on dyadic B2C or B2B relationships is not sufficient. A more sophisticated understanding is required that draws in the full range of stakeholders and environmental factors, and their interaction, in order to ‘manage with purpose’.