The CGI Observatory employs quantitative data and methods to analyse CGI conditions, performance and impact. These are shaped by an interplay of antecedent (upstream) politics, policy priorities, institutions, laws and regulations, administrative systems, cultural and economic parameters. The observatory centrally consider whether and how CGI contributes to consequent (downstream) public good provision, for example, through better public services and policy outputs, outcomes and impacts. The focus is thus on capturing public sector innovation activities at the city government level while analysing their complex interactions between upstream and downstream factors.
The Observatory is dedicated to the overarching research question of what brings city government innovation in Europe about and makes it impactful in terms of improving residents´ quality of life. This overarching research question points to a whole series of related questions critical for establishing the evidence base and analytic focus that is at the heart of the Observatory. These include:
- How does city government innovation relate to the size and type of cities (the make-up, politics, structure and rules of city government), and regional, state, national and supranational (EU) contexts?
- What claims can be established on the impact of city government innovation with regards to specific changes to policy outcomes and resident impacts? Under what conditions can city government innovation be most effective?
- Which policy domains are most representative in or responsive to city government innovation? And which missions, priorities and challenges have resulted in the most successful forms of city government innovation?