ABSTRACT
This chapter deals with the theoretical background of the governance of public policies, and in particular that of activation policy. It analyses territorial actors taking part in the different phases of policy-making and in the implementation of activation policies; and the coordination patterns both in the vertical and in the horizontal dimension. The chapter compares the theoretical frameworks concerning the types of governance emerging in the public sector. The New Public Management has provided the public sector with a new kind of management, more autonomous organisations, outsourcing and marketisation of services. The role of the public sector becomes more market-oriented and there is need for regulating outsourcing practices and coordination of the public-private production. Governance types have been reflected in the context of welfare-to-work policies. The types are procedural governance, corporate governance, market governance and network governance. The horizontal coordination of activation policy concerns relationships between public authorities and other actors like non-governmental organisations, employers, social enterprises and municipal/community activities.
