#Japan #Tokyo #GDX #Public-Private Collaboration #Co-Creation

Transitioning from Orders to Co-Creation: A Survey on Public-Private Collaboration in Local Governments

Transitioning from Orders to Co-Creation

In recent years, local governments have faced increasingly complex and diverse regional issues that cannot be addressed solely with their limited resources. The importance of public-private partnerships, which leverage private sector expertise, technology, and agility, has grown significantly. Traditional approaches characterized by an order-contract model, where government specifies requirements and hands work over to private firms, are proving inadequate for the challenges we face today. Flexibility in adapting to change is crucial, as is ensuring the sustainability of projects; reliance on subsidies often leads to the failure of initiatives after funding has ended.

The Survey’s Focus

To address these pressing concerns, a nationwide survey is underway to examine the transition from traditional contractual relationships to a co-creation model. This new approach emphasizes equal participation from both public and private sectors, working together to create and manage sustainable solutions. The survey aims to uncover the barriers to implementation and explore how these partnerships can be better facilitated.

Key Areas of Investigation

The survey encompasses a variety of crucial aspects:
1. Promotion Framework and Strategy: Investigating the establishment of specialized departments within local governments, the existence of overarching strategies, and access to private sector proposal channels.
2. Transition to Co-Creation: Assessing current perceptions of the traditional order model and challenges related to transitioning towards co-creation.
3. Interest in New Collaborative Models: Evaluating interest in innovative forms of collaboration such as establishing regional public corporations, conducting pilot projects, utilizing local talent for spot work, and supporting in-house capabilities through low-code tools.
4. Sustainability of Projects: Understanding practices to secure funding and achieve self-sufficiency, moving away from dependence on grants.
5. Identifying Barriers to Cooperation: Defining obstacles such as labor shortages, budget constraints, organizational culture challenges, and institutional restrictions, including procurement and contracting norms.

Invitation for Participation

The questionnaire has been mailed to municipalities across the country. We encourage all local governments to contribute their insights for a better understanding of the current landscape and to aid the transition towards co-creation.

About GDX

The General Association for Promoting Local Government DX (GDX) is committed to advancing digital transformation in municipalities to foster sustainable development within regional communities. By collaborating with local governments, GDX supports the application of digital technologies to solve community challenges and drive innovation. GDX serves as a bridge between local governments and businesses, providing a partnership environment that accelerates regional revitalization through digital transformation. For more information or inquiries, please reach out to us directly.