New development: Is Nolan enough? Why senior officers need to understand public values at the street-level perspective

Abstract

IMPACT Public values are stated as being central to the practice of senior public officials and policy-makers across the globe, but applying values in practice requires continual consideration and review. The application of values in state settings is not only about their application at senior levels, but how they infuse different levels of public organizations. Although much has been written about higher level values and standards, such as the UK Nolan principles, there is less consideration about how senior officers understand values at the levels of public sector practice. This article makes the case that, to produce a modern public service fit for purpose, senior public officials will benefit from understanding the application of public values at a variety of delivery levels.