Different strokes for different folks? The translation of public values into official meanings
Peer reviewed, Journal article
Published version
Permanent lenke
https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3097782Utgivelsesdato
2023Metadata
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- Publikasjoner fra Cristin [3362]
- SAM - Handelshøyskolen [394]
Originalversjon
10.1177/00208523231155756Sammendrag
It is well known that the meanings of public values can vary significantly across different
settings, given their abstract nature. Despite this knowledge, however, the public values
literature has not significantly examined the official meanings of public values in their
local setting. Against this backdrop, on the basis of a translation perspective we examine
the context-specific meanings of 219 public values as defined by the core values state-
ments of 61 Nordic central government agencies. We show variation and patterns in the
meanings, emphasizing how the meanings vary depending on whether the values are
translated into (1) a work and service delivery theme, (2) an internal relations theme
and (3) an external relations theme. Through these findings, the study highlights the
importance of taking into consideration the official meanings of agency core values
for understanding the relationship between public values and administrative behaviour.