ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces co-production from the service management perspective, which it argues offers a better starting point from which to theorise about co-production. In contrast to the public administration literature, it discusses co-production as an integral element of service delivery due to the inseparable nature of production and consumption. A critical point in the discussion is the differentiation made between the product-dominant logic, which has traditionally been applied to public services and their management, and the service-dominant logic, which centres on the relational exchange between service users and service providers. It further argues that, due to its integral role within the service relationship, the management of co-production should be a priority for service organisations, and teachings from relationship marketing may have an important contribution to make in this respect.
