Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise

RESEARCH


Research Programs at the Center
The Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise strengthens connections among government, business, academic, and nonprofit sectors in order to address complex public policy problems and speed improvements in the management and delivery of public services. The Center focuses on areas impacted by public-private linkages: including, government sourcing, supply chains management, national security, and economic competitiveness.

In response to today's complex problems, the delivery of public services is increasingly shared among sectors. The Center enhances the understanding and value of these important interrelationships. Operating at the nexus of public and private interests, the Center convenes leaders across sectors, researches and adapts best practices, develops policy recommendations, and influences decision-makers.


Center Program Areas:

	Connecting Government, Businesses, Academic and Nonprofits Communities Modernizing Government Supply Chain Management Identifying Government Sourcing and Acquisition Best Practices Transforming National and Homeland Security Enhancing Innovation and Economic Competitiveness (e.g., biotechnology industy)
	The Center's books, reports, case studies, research data, featured speakers and published articles have introduced and accelerated improvements in public service management and filled a gap in available data and valuable case studies to support the efforts of those working hard to address complex public policy problems. We convene forums, seminars and workshops that engage senior leaders from government, business, nonprofits and universities to examine best practices, develop solutions and policy recommendations, and enhance effective cross-sector collaboration.

Research Program Highlights

	Connecting Government, Businesses, Academic and Nonprofits Communities
	In an increasingly interconnected society, solutions to today's complex problems come from efforts in and among government, business, academic, and nongovernmental organizations. The Center believes it is critical to understand the changing roles and the value of the interrelationships. We are strengthening connections across sectors that help to meet public needs and exploring the power of networks to address public goals. Center Fellows have identified lessons learned about cross-sector collaborations and ways to work more effectively together.

	Modernizing Government Supply Chain Management
	There is an urgent need to improve the government's ability to reliably, affordably, and quickly deliver products and services in all areas but particularly in support of homeland and national security. The world-class supply chain management practices of Federal Express, Wal-Mart, and many others offer tools and approaches for transforming government supply chain management when coupled with lessons from government efforts to modernize. Our supply chain strategies and systems are transforming supply chain management for agencies.

	Identifying Government Sourcing and Acquisition Best Practices
	Today's controversies over sourcing solutions in government point to the need for better understanding. The Center identifies best practices in competitive sourcing, public-private partnerships, outsourcing, privatization, and other approaches. Through our research and case studies, the Center has found that when the primary focus is on improving performance and efficiency, significant improvements result in the delivery of public services and products, with cost savings to taxpayers.

	Transforming National and Homeland Security
	Information security poses a particularly important and difficult challenge for meeting national and homeland security goals in today's interconnected world. Understanding threats, vulnerabilities and the technologies available to address them is critical. The Center believes that to truly achieve the nation's security transformation, it is imperative that the roles of private sector actors are fully understood. Center Researchers have explored the economics of information security and the dynamics of business incentives and disincentives to assist with homeland security efforts. The Center is also developing recommendations for sensitive information policies that bring a deeper understanding of tradeoffs and better balance between openness and security.

	Enhancing Innovation and Economic Competitiveness (e.g., biotechnology industry)
	Enabling innovation is critical to economic development, competitiveness, and improving public policy and management. Center studies have found that strong connections among government, industry, academic and nonprofit organizations are key to stimulating economic development and innovation in high-tech based industries such as the biotechnology industry. The Center is working to enable greater innovation and competitiveness for improvements in government and society. One significant focus of our efforts is on the biotechnology industry in the Maryland and national capital region.

Center Collaborations and Support
The Center is engaged in unique collaborations with organizations concerned about complex public policy issues and the impact of public-private connections. Support for our work comes from a wide variety of organizations, agencies, foundations, and individuals, including such distinguished organizations as:

	Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
	Booz Allen Hamilton
	The Brookings Institution
	Business Government Relations Council
	Defense Sustainment Consortium
	IBM Center for the Business of Government
	Lipitz Family Foundation
	National Defense University
	Naval Postgraduate School
	U.S. Army


To learn more about collaborating with the Center for Public Policy and Private Enterprise to support its research, forums, graduate assistantships, and programs contact Dawn Pulliam, Program Coordinator.