Workshop on Shaping control processes in dynamic and interdependent public services

Workshop on Shaping control processes in dynamic and interdependent public services 

Call for Papers

Control practices, their introduction and use, have been at the forefront of public-sector, and more in general nonprofit, studies since the 1990s (Hoggett, 1996; Baraldi, 1998; Broadbent et al., 1999; McDonald, 1999; Cäker and Siverbovan, 2011; der Kolk et al., 2019; Barretta and Noto, 2023). However, over time, researchers’ focus has shifted more and more towards external controls, accountability and communication, leaving a gap in what we understand about the design and use of internal organisational controls today. This call aims to address this by asking the question: what is the current role and configuration of controls in public-service organisations (PSOs)? 

The workshop welcomes contributions on all aspects connected to management and cost control, internal v external controls, and connected accountability dynamics in the context of PSOs (including public-sector, government and nonprofit organisations). Different and innovative methodological approaches are encouraged, as are international comparative studies. Topics suitable for the workshop include, but are not limited to: 

• Different forms and roles of management-control practices 

• The interaction between performance-measurement frameworks and controls 

• Linkages between non-financial performance targets and financial allocations in the budget process 

• The potential for (and consequences of) the over-use of non-financial performance targets and the embracing of ‘simple’ (or simplistic) overall performance frameworks 

• The alignment of performance targets at various organisational and inter-organisational levels 

• Studies of contexts where the use of judgement in decision making is (or should be) paramount, and the possible consequences when it is not

• How internal and external controls work together and their effects on public-service provision 

• How performance-measurement frameworks can be constructed using the participation of different stakeholder groups 

• Different forms of budgeting and their development over time 

• The exploring of contexts where tight-central budgeting and looser more-flexible budgeting systems might be beneficial 

• The historical evolution of internal control 

• The role of boards, controllers and line managers in the context of different organisational budgeting and performance-management systems

• Inter-organisational controls and practices 

• How service users (or beneficiaries) contribute to shaping control and accountability processes

• How non-profit organisations contribute to the delivery of public services in a perspective of network governance 

To indicate your interest in presenting at the workshop, abstracts (500 words max) should be kindly sent to the ICOPA email address (centreforpublicaccountability@durham.ac.uk) no later than the 5th October 2026. The submission deadline for receipt of completed papers for the workshop is 1st December 2026. Any email submission should include the subject heading: ICOPA Workshop 2026 submission.

Workshop Scientific Committee 
Professor Laurence Ferry (Durham University), Professor Noel Hyndman (Durham University and Queen’s University Belfast), Professor Mariannunziata Liguori (Durham University) and Dr. Henry Midgley (Durham University).

The Workshop is linked to an open call for a Special Issue of Financial Accountability & Management guest edited by Tjerk Budding (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam), Laurence Ferry (Durham University), Patrícia Gomes (Polytechnic University of Cávado and Ave), Noel Hyndman (Durham University and Queen’s University Belfast), Mariannunziata Liguori (Durham University) and Henry Midgley (Durham University). 

Submissions of papers to the Special Issue outside of the workshop are also welcome; these will go through the normal submission portal and guidelines of the journal. More information about the journal call and submission will be available soon. 

Workshop attendance fee: £90 per delegate 

Register online: 
Information will be available from August on the ICOPA’s website at: 
https://www.durham.ac.uk/business/research/centres/icopa/  
General registration opens on 1st September 2026 and closes on 27th November 2026. 

Workshop Organising Committee 
Professor Mariannunziata Liguori, Dr. Henry Midgley, Dr. John Millar (Durham University) 

Workshop important dates 
Submission deadline for workshop abstracts: 5th October 2026

Decisions on paper acceptance for workshop presentation by 12th October 2026

Submission of completed papers to workshop by 1st December 2026

Workshop dates: 14th - 15th December 2026 

For more details: ICOPA Workshop Call for Papers.pdf