“Socially Equitable Public Service Provision: Towards Inclusive Coproduction of Public Infrastructure,” published in the International Journal of Public Administration, has received the journal’s 2026 Best Article Award. The award was presented at the ASPA Annual Conference in Hollywood, California, held March 20–24, 2026. The award committee’s decision was unanimous, recognizing the article’s significant contribution to the co-production literature through its analysis of how individual- and community-level factors shape citizens’ participation in two distinct forms of co-production: co-planning and co-investment. Drawing on original survey data from Texas residents, the study demonstrates how risk perceptions, education, and income levels influence who engage in planning and investing in public infrastructure.

The study further reveals that communities with stronger social capital and prior civic engagement provide more fertile ground for inclusive co-production. However, persistent structural barriers continue to limit participation among lower-income and less-educated populations. As lead author Dr. Hwang notes, “These findings underscore that, without intentional institutional design and targeted outreach, co-production processes may inadvertently reproduce or even amplify existing inequalities in voice and influence over public infrastructure decisions.

 The study concludes by outlining actionable policy implications for designing more inclusive and equitable co-production mechanisms, emphasizing the need to lower participation barriers and broaden access to both planning and investment opportunities regardless of socioeconomic status.

Publication: Hwang, H., Vedlitz, A., Mostafavi, A., & Lim, S.  Socially equitable public service provision: Towards inclusive coproduction of public infrastructure. International Journal of Public Administration, 48(13), 863-877. 

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