New book explores how public-private partnerships can deliver greater public value
We’re delighted to celebrate the publication of Contracting for Public Value: New Thinking for More Effective, Accountable, and Sustainable Public Service Contracts, co-authored by Carolyn J. Heinrich, Deanna Malatesta, Eleanor Carter, Michael Gibson, and Nigel Ball.
We’re delighted to celebrate the publication of Contracting for Public Value: New Thinking for More Effective, Accountable, and Sustainable Public Service Contracts, co-authored by Carolyn J. Heinrich, Deanna Malatesta, Eleanor Carter, Michael Gibson, and Nigel Ball.
Published by Oxford University Press, this new book reimagines how governments and their partners can work together to deliver better outcomes for the public. Drawing on in-depth case studies from the United Kingdom and the United States, it explores why some public-private partnerships (PPPs) thrive while others falter, and how rethinking contracts can make these collaborations more effective and sustainable.
At its heart, Contracting for Public Value challenges the dominance of traditional, formal contracting models that often constrain flexibility and innovation in public services. Instead, the authors advocate for more relational and trust-based approaches that prioritise accountability, adaptability, and long-term impact.
For the GO Lab’s Eleanor Carter and Michael Gibson, who contributed to this work, the book marks an important step in translating research into practical guidance. It offers tools and examples for policymakers and practitioners looking to design partnerships that genuinely serve the public interest through stronger relationships, shared accountability, and a deeper focus on outcomes.
The book is essential reading for anyone interested in how public value can be championed through better contracting and collaboration.
