| The Consumer in Public Services: Choice, Values and Difference Contributor(s): Simmons, Richard (Editor), Powell, Martin (Editor), Greener, Ian (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1847421806 ISBN-13: 9781847421807 Publisher: Policy Press OUR PRICE: $50.30 Product Type: Paperback - Other Formats Published: April 2009 Annotation: This book challenges existing stereotypes about the 'consumer as chooser.' It shows how we must develop a more sophisticated understanding of consumers, examining their place and role as public services users. The analysis shows that there are many differ |
| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Social Science | Sociology - General - Political Science | Public Affairs & Administration - Political Science | Public Policy - Social Policy |
| Dewey: 351 |
| LCCN: 2010286469 |
| Physical Information: 0.64" H x 6.14" W x 9.21" (0.94 lbs) 304 pages |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: This book challenges existing stereotypes about the 'consumer as chooser'. It shows how we must develop a more sophisticated understanding of consumers, examining their place and role as users of public services. The analysis shows that there are many different 'faces' of the consumer and that it is not easy to categorise users in particular environments. Drawing on empirical research, The consumer in public services critiques established assumptions surrounding citizenship and consumption. Choice may grab the policy headlines but other essential values are revealed as important throughout the book. One issue concerns the 'subjects' of consumerism, or who it is that presents themselves when they come to use public services. Another concerns consumer 'mechanisms', or the ways that public services try to relate to these people. Bringing these issues together for the first time, with cutting-edge contributions from a range of leading researchers, the message is that today's public services must learn to cope with a differentiated public. This book will be of interest to scholars and students in the fields of social policy and public administration. It will also appeal to policy-makers leading 'user-focused' public service reforms, as well as those responsible for implementing such reforms at the frontline of modern public services. |
Contributor Bio(s): Powell, Martin: - Martin Powell is professor of health and social policy in the Health Services Management Centre at the University of Birmingham. He is the editor of several books exploring the New Labour Governments and the British welfare state.Greener, Ian: - Ian Greener is professor of applied social sciences at Durham University. |