Best value approach in the scope of strategic management: Applicability of best value to local governments in Turkey

In parallel with some developments in the 20th and 21st centuries, public institutions questioned their organizational functioning and sought ways of institutional change. In this context, modern management approaches have come to the fore, and the areas of responsibility for the individual and social structures have expanded. One of these approaches, The Best Value Approach, which emerged in the public sector, turned into a legal obligation in the England in 2000 with the aim of strengthening the public sector-citizen relationship within the scope of the provision of public and local services. Although this approach, which is based on reshaping all local-public services according to the demands and expectations of the citizens, portrayed a very cautious and bureaucratic process in the first years when it gained a legal dimension, in the following years, it was strongly emphasized such as strategic performance management, continuous improvement and ensuring competitiveness in local governments, demonstrated a focus on strong principles. Many principles of the approach, such as effectiveness, efficiency, economy and strategic awareness, are in parallel with the principles of modern management approaches that emerged in the private sector, especially in Strategic Management. The place of the Best Value approach in Turkish Public Administration literature is quite limited. In this context, the purpose of the thesis is to introduce and examine The Best Value Approach, which emerges as a form of public sector of modern management approaches, and to evaluate its applicability in local governments in Turkey. The method of the thesis is based on qualitative research that enables to define, explain and analyze the relationship between phenomena and approaches.