A critique of public service logic

ABSTRACT

This paper charts the evolution of public service logic’s (PSL) conceptual framework examining Stephen Osborne’s work and some 20 other researchers using the framework. It critically scrutinizes five significant aspects of PSL theory arguing that the subjective and collective notion of use-value creation ignores the important theorization of use-value in political economy and transfers too much from Vargo and Lusch’s marketing theory. It briefly comments on how PSL might apply to non-European contexts and cultures. The criticisms lead to the conclusion that PSL is an unconvincing research framework into public value.

KEYWORDS:

• Public service logic critique
• public value

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).