Exploring some cases of loss or destruction of public value

The theme of destruction or loss of public value, referring to an inversion of Public Value that takes place when attempts are made to destroy it, has been scarcely covered by scientific literature. This paper explore... [ view full abstract ]

The theme of destruction or loss of public value, referring to an inversion of Public Value that takes place when attempts are made to destroy it, has been scarcely covered by scientific literature. This paper explore situations where leadership creates or colludes the loss, destruction or co-destruction of public value. The current paper has a twofold objective. Firstly, to observe the different causes of loss or destruction of Public Value. Secondly, a case study will provide an example of PV destruction caused by negative (co)-contamination or co-production of toxic and disruptive political leadership in a compromised place. This is a paper with a case study which makes use of semi-structured interviews. The case method can help understand the complexities of 'negative corruption effect'  which is also characterized by forms of capital rationing that affect both current and future communities. The study analyses the factors resulting from toxic leadership and negative co-production in the destruction of Public Value within an already compromised place as in the case put forward in the arena “Land of Fires” , where crime network has been making money for decades by illegally disposing of industrial waste in the area.  The communities affected by toxic contamination in the Italian region of Campania have had so far to confront the challenge of proving a direct causal connection between exposure to pollutants and health issues, given a long history of waste mismanagement. Although medical studies have been conducted, the social and political debate is still static, there has been increasing interest in the relationship between destructive leadership and the case of loss or  co-destruction of public value, these characteristics remain relatively understudied and somewhat misunderstood. This paper may help both scholars and practitioners to identify the best strategies to offset the key factors by offering tools enabling the search for adequate leadership and managerial policies that are more likely to cope with the destruction of Public Value.