Public Sector Values in Denmark: A Survey Analysis

Abstract

The issue of public sector values has been increasingly important in public sector reform debates in Europe in the past decade. While there is much debate over values and normative basis there is limited empirical evidence on value profiles and value changes. This article aims to address such limitations by presenting data from a major survey based study of value orientations at all levels in the Danish public sector. The article investigates the following questions: How do public managers perceive values in the public sector? Can we construct value profiles for the public sector or parts of it? Two related hypotheses are suggested. First that it is possible to identify a set of values that is regarded as important by almost all public managers and second that these value profiles are reflected in value orientations and perceptions regarding staff skills and motivation.