In light of increasing institutional and societal expectations for public administrations (PAs) to proactively generate value for citizens and communities, this study investigates whether integrated process mapping and digitalization can be considered enabling factors for Public Value (PV) creation. Grounded in the theoretical frameworks of Public Value Management and Public Value Governance, the research adopts a mixed-methods approach that combines a systematic literature review with an empirical case study conducted at the Public Prosecutor’s Office of Ferrara, Italy.
The analysis focuses on the procurement process of consumable goods, employing an integrated process mapping tool that incorporates three analytical dimensions: performance management, risk management, and resource health. Findings demonstrate that this integrated perspective facilitates the identification of inefficiencies, organizational vulnerabilities, and opportunities for improvement, offering a structured basis for strategic and sustainable public value generation. Notably, digital health emerges as a transversal and transformative factor, significantly influencing the organization's ability to innovate, streamline operations, and improve public service delivery.
This research contributes to the academic and policy debate on public sector modernization by proposing a holistic and strategic vision of the PA. It emphasizes the need for sustained investment in digital competencies, interoperability, and organizational change culture to enhance the public sector’s capacity to produce shared, sustainable, and multidimensional value.