TY - JOUR AU - Lopez-Nicolas,C. AU - Rubalcaba,L. AU - Scupola,A. AU - Suarez,C. KW - Gender KW - Innovation KW - Public sector organizations KW - Public services T1 - Women managing public services innovation: European cross-country evidence on drivers and barriers LA - eng PY - 2026/03/27/ SP - 532 EP - 557 T2 - Gender in Management SN - 1754-2421 VL - 41 IS - 3 PB - Emerald Publishing AB - Purpose – This study aims to investigate the drivers and barriers that influence women’s capacity to innovate in public services. A theoretical framework and related hypotheses are proposed by drawing on new public management theory, self-determination theory and gender theory. Design/methodology/approach – The hypotheses are tested on survey data gathered in six European countries (N = 736). Findings – The results show that women managing public services innovation face more barriers and drivers than men in the European context. Barriers to public services innovation in Europe are gendered. Originality/value – The findings presented here challenge some assumptions from new public management theory and self-determination theory. Also, the role of women in managing public services innovation appears to be evolving over time. The implications of these findings for research and policy are highlighted. DO - 10.1108/GM-03-2025-0126 UR - https://portalcientifico.uah.es/documentos/69913b536b2b380f4b777627 DP - Dialnet - Portal de la Investigación ER -