Mutual dependence in public-private partnerships
IBG – Interactive Residents’ Guide has spent the past decade forging close collaborations with public sector entities to develop and implement digital solutions that enhance inclusion and improve the quality of life for people with cognitive and physical disabilities. The company’s experiences in public-private innovation have not only led to tangible outcomes but have also shaped an approach where mutual dependence and integrity are central to the collaboration.
Adapting IT-systems
For over ten years, IBG has faced the challenge that digital solutions in the social care and health sector cannot remain static. Instead, they require continuous adaptation and development to meet the evolving needs of users, necessitating close and ongoing collaboration with public sector partners. Thus, the public sector requires IT providers to approach situations with a 360-degree perspective, focusing not only on product expertise but also on understanding the broader transformation project that IT implementation entails. This need for a comprehensive approach is further challenged by the differing operational rhythms of the public and private sectors – what Jeppe Slot Stauning, IBG’s Product Director and Partner, vividly describes as dancing jitterbug in the private sector while waltzing in the public sector.
Embrace sectoral differences
IBG has learned that the differences between private and public sectors demand deep understanding and respect. While the private sector often operates at a faster pace, the public sector is characterized by a more measured, deliberative approach. Recognizing these dynamics has allowed IBG to foster more efficient interactions and drive effective innovation in social care. By aligning with the tempo and priorities of public sector partners, IBG has been able to co-create solutions that truly resonate with all stakeholders.
Focus on mutual goals
The collaboration between IBG and its public sector partners has been grounded in a shared commitment to improving the livability and inclusion of residents with disabilities. This mutual focus has enabled both sides to work closely together, ensuring that innovations are not only impactful but also aligned with the real needs of end-users. Jeppe Slot Stauning emphasizes that public-private innovation is crucial because it allows both sectors to elevate welfare to levels that would be unattainable alone.
Build lasting relationships without compromising integrity
IBG’s experience underscores the importance of building lasting relationships based on trust and continuous dialogue. These relationships are maintained without compromising the independence of public sector entities, adhering to the arm’s-length principle. This balance ensures that the integrity of both sectors remains intact, allowing for collaboration that respects the unique roles and responsibilities of each partner.
IBG’s experienced challenge in public-private partnerships
Navigating the different paces of the public and private sectors has been a significant challenge for IBG. Initially, the company struggled with the misconception that rapid progress and quick sales were the keys to success in the public sector. However, through experiences at enterprise growth programs offered by, e.g., Business Hub Copenhagen, providing insights from public governance specialists, IBG learned the importance of patience and long-term relationship building. Understanding the public sectors rhythms was pivotal to scaling IBG’s solutions across municipalities.
Profound impact on public welfare
IBG’s approach has led to the successful integration of its digital solutions across numerous municipalities and self-governing institutions, significantly enhancing service delivery and resident engagement. The ongoing collaboration has demonstrated that when both sectors work together, without compromising their independence, the resulting innovations can have a profound and lasting impact on public welfare. Today, IBG’s solutions are not only implemented across Denmark but have also expanded to Norway and Germany, showcasing the scalability and effectiveness of these innovations in diverse social care environments.
IBG’s journey highlights the critical role of mutual dependence in public-private collaboration. By embracing sectoral differences, focusing on shared goals, and maintaining integrity in relationships, IBG has been able to co-create solutions that significantly improve the lives of people with disabilities. As Jeppe Slot Stauning aptly summarizes, when dealing with the private sector, it’s at the customer’s expense and risk. When dealing with the public sector, we’re using society’s shared resources, and therefore, both the public entity and the supplier carry an extra obligation to succeed.
This collaboration exemplifies how public and private sectors, by deliberately supporting each other, can achieve innovations that significantly benefit society as a whole.
