“I’m paid to do other things”: Complementary co-production tasks for professionals

Abstract

ABSTRACT Previous literature on co-production tends to position the professional as engaging in core service delivery activities, while the citizen co-producer may contribute to either complementary or core tasks. Bringing together insights from the literature on co-production and the facilitation of citizen initiatives, I present a typology of the complementary tasks undertaken by professionals, focusing on professionals who work for third sector organisations. Based on an analysis of qualitative data, I posit that third sector professionals may undertake three categories of complementary tasks – training, administrative support and budget management. These professionals experience tensions between balancing core/complementary tasks and skilled/unskilled tasks, and between co-producing with citizens or doing the work on their own. This article makes an important contribution to our understanding of the role of the professional as a facilitator in co-production, as a means to more effectively engage citizens in designing and delivering public services.