Conditions for the Co-Production of New Immigrant Services in Hong Kong

ABSTRACT

This study examines the conditions for co-production in the delivery of immigrant services in Hong Kong. The study shows that co-production of new immigrant services occurs under three conditions: a joint plan, direct participation, and establishing partnerships. The analysis also suggests that co-production is affected by structural and cultural factors, resulting in three insights. First, a civic culture of “mutual help” develops in co-production activities. Second, maintaining co-production activities requires formal arrangements and informal relationships. Third, participants become strongly connected through repeated social interactions and day-to-day communication. The implications of these findings for the broader study of co-production are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Conditions
• co-production
• Hong Kong
• immigrant services

Acknowledgments

The author is grateful to Richard M. Walker and Jeffery L. Brudney for their helpful suggestions. The author thanks Allan Rosenbaum for his useful comments on an earlier draft, and to three reviewers for their constructive comments on improving this article. All remaining errors are mine.

Notes

^1. The 25 new immigrants interviewed are females, originally from China, who currently live in the New Territories, Hong Kong. The five program leaders interviewed are from three Hong Kong-based nonprofit organizations with a main focus on new immigrant services.