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University of Bath research has helped the National Health Service (NHS) successfully to make fundamental changes in its procurement policy, with 2.7 per cent savings on £18 billion of expenditure. The changes incorporated plurality of provision and strategic, collaborative approaches to deliver better value-for-money decisions and improve quality of life for patients. Using this framework, Audiology Services have been able to provide digital hearing aids to patients free of charge, at the same time saving £252 million on the purchasing price of the aids and cutting service costs by £45.5m annually. This approach was also applied across all NHS expenditure categories and achieved savings of around £500m on goods and services worth £18 billion a year. The research has also shaped the Department of Health's Commercial Strategy encouraging a more strategic use of network resources for the benefit of patients and taxpayers.
One strand of Griffiths' academic work has looked at public service reform. This research has influenced a variety of think tank publications examining reform strategies in health, education and social care. In particular, it has shaped debates on citizenship, choice in public services, the `coproduction' of services between citizen and state, and greater professional autonomy. Both the New Labour Government and the Coalition have moved policy in this direction. Griffiths' contributions have been significant enough to be discussed by Cabinet Ministers and senior opposition politicians, special advisers, trade union groups and in local government. His latest edited book in this area is currently the subject of an ongoing series of debates between academics and policymakers, including government ministers, hosted by the Royal Society and Arts and sponsored by the ESRC.
Since 2008, Bangor Law School has pioneered research into the legal and risk barriers that inhibit SME participation in public procurement. This has had a transformational impact on 5 substantial non-academic communities: SMEs have benefited from improved access to public contract opportunities; Local Authorities have reduced procurer-evaluation hours and process times; the Welsh Government have implemented a Supplier Qualification Information Database tool improving tender-entry for SMEs; Representative Bodies (e.g. Confederation of British Industry) have extensively quoted our research findings to lobby Government to eradicate SME tendering barriers and our Tender Review Instrument has been adopted by International Agencies such as the Canadian Government.
This research furnished evidence for school food reform in the UK, Italy, the USA and developing countries. Examining the pioneering experience of school food reformers in Europe, North America and Africa, the research showed that the power of public purchase can transform the quality of school food. The researchers demonstrated that the most important factor behind successful reform is a political culture that prioritizes the values of sustainability over price and cost-cutting concerns. This insight shaped the creation of the Food for Life programme, which has been implemented in over 4,000 UK schools. Furthermore, the research has influenced international public food policies, such as those of the United Nations. In recognition of these achievements, the research in this case study recently won the Economic and Social Research Council's Celebrating Impact Prize for outstanding impact on public policy.
Research on the management and implementation of EU Cohesion policy has informed the legislative proposals made in 2011 by the European Commission for the reform of Cohesion policy. It has also influenced some organisational changes within the Commission introduced in early 2013. EU Cohesion policy is the second largest area of expenditure in the EU budget, currently worth c. €347bn for the 2007-13 period, and provides funding for regional socio-economic development programmes in all EU Member States. The legislative proposals influenced by the Strathclyde research affect every national, regional and local authority in the EU benefiting from EU Structural and Cohesion Funds.
This case study refers to the development of strategic public affairs management and associated research on political risk and the regional economy at the University of Chester. It demonstrates both impact on business strategy at international levels and influence on government policy. The Bank of America (MBNA) case is evidenced as an example of effective public affairs research. The business is the largest service based centre in the region, accounting for 3% of Cheshire's GDP (2011). The research has informed both strategy and policy for business and government resulting in the retention of a major international business in the North West.
Because corruption involves illegal activities of public officials, data about the scale and objects of bribery is not readily available. Without such evidence, policymakers are handicapped in identifying points for effective intervention. Rose's survey research on post-Communist countries developed innovative measures to monitor the payment of bribes by citizens for public services. Transparency International (TI) is the world's leading non-governmental organisation campaigning against corruption, and it has incorporated the survey methodology in its key research tool, the Global Corruption Barometer (GCB). From 2008 to 2013 Transparency International has conducted three major rounds of Global Corruption Barometer surveys that interviewed upwards of 450,000 people in more than 110 countries on every continent. Results have been disseminated worldwide through the 90 national chapters of Transparency International. Rose's expertise in sampling has also been used to improve value-for-money expenditure on GCB surveys in the many developing countries it covers.
University of Glasgow research into public sector governance has influenced planning and investment in major transport and infrastructure projects. Transport Scotland's Strategic Transport Projects Review was the first nationwide, multi-modal, evidence based review of Scotland's transport system; as a member of the Board, Professor Iain Docherty contributed to its recommendations, adopted by the Scottish Government in December 2008. His research also shaped the Commission for Integrated Transport's negotiations with the Westminster Government on the White Paper which underpinned the Planning Bill 2008 and subsequent Planning Act 2009; informed the Cabinet Office's 2009 Urban Transport strategy and recommendations; and influenced 2012 investment planning discussions by Edinburgh City Council.
Research conducted in 2006-13 on the role of third sector organisations (TSOs) in delivering public services in Scotland has shaped public policy, improved the management/impact of TSOs in delivering public services, and influenced public opinion on the role of TSOs. This has been achieved through research for the Scottish Government and the ESRC, input into the Christie Commission on public services reform, and by affecting the management of TSOs in Scotland through training events and through Osborne's role as Vice-Chair of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO). It has also had an international impact, including in Denmark and Australia.
Research on participation in governance and related policy instruments, with a particular focus on interest organisations and groups, with strategic orientation of research publications towards impact, and evidence of use at the highest level in public policy reviews and public discourse/debate, as well as deliberations of advocacy groups.