Summary:

This paper compares and analyzes recent case studies of initiatives of first ministers
in the United Kingdom, Australia and Queensland to establish implementation and delivery units,
and reflects on their implications for institutional design and theory. The first section reviews the
similarities and differences in the case studies. The second section considers whether these units in
practice emphasized the strategic directions consistent with certain of the hypotheses outlined in
this collection’s introductory essay, and outlines explanations for similarities and differences. The
third section considers the possibility of functional equivalents to implementation units, and the
potential for competition and rivalry. Implementation units have survived a reasonably long time,
so the fourth section identifies lessons for structuring and locating them, as well as building
credibility. The paper concludes by identifying implications for the literature and future research.