An Introduction into Public Sector Innovation - Definitions, Typologies, and an Overview of the Literature

Although the research field surrounding public sector innovation is still infantile in comparison to its private sector equivalent, the amount of work done on the topic is enough to create quite some confusion. This working paper presents a brief introduction into the topic. It discusses the definition of innovation in the public sector context, the differences and similarities between innovation in the public and private sector, different innovation typologies, and provides a rough overview of the public sector innovation research thus far. Though it does not constitute an exhaustive overview of these issues, it does function as a useful introduction for those wishing to know more about the topic, and those students and researchers looking for a starting point in their research into the topic