Public institutions are increasingly affected by the challenges of change. Indeed, the modernization of public institutions has become a major issue in today's public policies. This objective is leading them to move toward developing partnerships with private companies in many areas. The emergence of public-private partnerships therefore invites us to question the benefits of such a relationship, particularly in terms of organizational performance. Since 1988, ISEOR has organized an annual conference that brings together consultants, experts, and managers from companies and public and private organizations. The theme of this twentieth edition of the 2007 conference is "The Modernization of Public Services and the Fruitfulness of Public-Private Partnerships." These days provided an opportunity to address the central question of the role of public-private partnerships as an instrument for the modernization of public services. Recent legislative changes, the opening up to competition and the demands of citizens are leading public institutions to seek to rationalise resources in the performance of their public service missions. It is therefore necessary to understand the concept of "modernising public services" in the context of using resources effectively and efficiently. Indeed, public institutions face challenges common to all organizations. In terms of development, public-private partnerships face challenges related to the very nature of the different relationships between stakeholders. Many institutional, political, and business stakeholders share their experiences and professional practices. Among them, Forem (Belgium), the General Council of the Rhône, the MEDEF Metalworking Union, the Special Delegation of the Walloon Government (Belgium), the Federal Ministry of Social Development (Mexico), the Flemish Office for Vocational Training and Employment VDAB (Belgium), the Directorate General for Translation of the European Commission, the Jean Moulin University Lyon 3, the Rhônalpénergie Environnement Association, the Lyon Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the Hospices Civils de Lyon. the Federgon federation (Belgium). This book also presents innovative cases of change approaches in companies or organizations that illustrate the method of implementing socio-economic management created and developed by ISEOR and evaluate its main results. Witnesses of socio-economic innovation actions include Forem, the Centre Saint-Georges and the Mutualité Chrétienne Hainaut Picardie in Belgium, the University of Fribourg in Switzerland, the Hotel Santa Cxuz, the company AGN Aviation Service and COMPITE in Mexico, the Association des Amis de l'Atelier, the Société Artésienne de Vinyle, the Ninkasi in Lyon, the Institut Paul Bocuse and the Société Générale de Protection.
