Implementing Risk Management in the Italian Public Sector: Hybridization between Old and New Practices

ABSTRACT

Though Risk Management (RM) entered the public sector, the way RM is introduced within organizations is not empirically explored. Analyzing the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) case study through the theoretical lens of institutional perspective, the paper responds to the call for more organizational studies of RM: nature and dynamics of RM are investigated, offering a valid contribution to the debate on practice of public management related to work practices and knowledge systems. The results show that RM is now embedded in ISTAT activities, processes, culture and individual behaviors, confirming the opportunity to improve both organizational performance and learning.

KEYWORDS:

• Italian case
• management practices
• public organization
• risk management

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Notes

^1. The (EU) Regulation 223/09 required the improvement of the statistical processes, pushing the application of innovative management systems for improving quality and saving cost and time.

^2. www.coso.org..

^3. For example, Aus/NZ 4360:2004—ISO/IEC 17799:2005–27005:2008—ISO 31000/09–31010/09.

^4. The European Statistics Code of Practice, adopted on 28 September 2011, commits member States to respect the general quality management principles including commitment of leadership, partnership, staff satisfaction, and continuous improvement, in addition to integration and harmonization. Among the 15 principles incorporated in the Code, the adequacy of resources, commitment to quality, cost/effectiveness, and timeliness are pushing the application of innovative management systems, including the new frontier of RM. ISTAT has also acknowledged in its mission and vision the main Code statements.