Self-organizing work in practice: the case of community-based flooding initiatives in Scotland

Public management scholars argue that addressing societal challenges increasingly requires the contribution of citizens, often through Community-based initiatives (CBIs), where citizens self-organize to deliver public services. We have a limited understanding of how CBIs work. Using a practice approach and walking interviews with Scottish flood groups, we show that their work involves bringing together activities, understandings, and resources through five practices: generating knowledge, establishing agendas, undertaking shared responses, building rapport and trust, and making counterclaims. We advance understanding of how CBI work is conducted on an everyday basis, showing how practices relate to each other and those of public bodies.