16 May 2008
Lack of resources, workforce opposition and risk-averse organisational cultures are limiting the development of shared services, says a survey.
The shared services survey 08, published by law firm Browne Jacobson, is based on responses from 178 senior managers in the health, local authority, social care, education and fire service sectors.
Most (65%) identified lack of adequate resources as the main barrier, while 59% identified insufficient staff. Only 26% referred to cost savings and end benefits when asked to define shared services.
Dominic Swift, head of the shared services team at Browne Jacobson, said: 'Government is guiding the public sector to drive significant cost efficiencies while improving public services. Yet only a small minority of managers list these among the aims of shared services.'
Over a third of respondents cited lack of trust as a problem, voicing concerns that partner organisations would prioritise their own issues and that they would lack authority over partner workforces, while 41% said their organisations were risk-averse.
PFmay2008
