Marketing in the public sector.

The article presents various abstracts on marketing in the public sector. Some of the abstracts featured in the article include: the use of market research by local authorities; the application of marketing techniques in the public sector; the growth of strategic marketing alliances; and the role and place of marketing in the Great Britain National Health Service. One of the abstracts contends that, despite their tardiness, cities can adopt consumer-marketing techniques. It lists six key forces that are often overlooked in cities' attempts to acquire or retain customers. It sets out steps that cities should follow to improve their competitiveness, including developing more customized and targeted products/capabilities, and adopting database marketing. Another abstract argues for the use, not just the commissioning, of market research by local authorities, focusing on three applications--information based on market research rather than election results; market research as a policy evaluation tool to assess customer orientation; and market research related to major reorganization impacting on local government. It concludes that little is known on the use local authorities make of market research, but that it can be a valuable instrument in this part of the public sector.