The objectives aiming to solve complex societal problems stem from the Government Programme. To attain these objectives, coordinated co-operation between different administrative branches is needed. Permanent co-operation structures create preconditions for cross-administrative collaboration.
While political steering and, in particular, the objectives set in the Government Programme play an important role for cross-administrative sets of measures, the Government’s common structures had little impact on the steering of the audited sets of measures.
In the best-case scenario, co-operation between different administrative branches creates an operating culture that enables a comprehensive approach, consideration of different perspectives and coming up with more comprehensive and efficient solutions. Co-operation can be promoted by means of a steering structure that enables cross-administrative interaction. The audit findings indicate that a cross-administrative structure, co-operation, shared views of the objectives and the measures required to achieve them as well as the operating culture have strong interconnections and an impact on to what extent the co-operation is experienced as fruitful.
The audit focused on the steering instruments and structures used by the central government in phenomenon-based sets of measures requiring co-operation between several administrative branches. The audit was conducted by means of both a general and upper-level examination of the administration and case examinations.
The examination of individual cases focused on cross-administrative steering structures and procedures for urban policy, combat against the grey economy and economic crime, and efforts to promote the circular economy and improve the well-being of children and families with young children. There were major variations in the steering structures and instruments as well as in experiences of the effectiveness of co-operation between the audited sets of measures.
Successful cross-administrative steering lays the foundation for the functioning of the entire administration and its development when it comes to solving complex problems that often have major economic impacts.
