Finding Value in Relational Proximity: A Case Study from Turkish Local Governance

Abstract

This thesis explores how muhtars, as elected neighbourhood representatives in Turkey, (co-)create public value by contributing to well-being outcomes in their communities. While muhtars are legally grounded in the administrative system of Turkey, their everyday presence and relational proximity to citizens position them as hybrid actors. As hybrid actors, they navigate between legal duties and the communities’ needs. Drawing on transformative service research and public value theory and informed by value co-creation logics, the study examines how muhtars interpret their roles and engage in value co-creation within structurally and politically constrained public service environment.

The research adopts a qualitative case study approach focused in Bornova, İzmir, based on semi-structured interviews with muhtars. A theory-informed content analysis grounded in transformative service research and public value theory, is conducted with expansion to context-sensitive well-being outcomes, followed by a contingency analysis.

Findings reveal that muhtars operate with dual identity roles as the Service Facilitator and the Citizen Advocate. However, the transformative value often emerges through the Citizen Advocate in the presence of political and operational constraints. The study argues that muhtars, through their position as everyday mediators within the public service system offers insights for designing with and for inclusive, responsive and relational governance.