Within the Dutch central government several initiatives have been taken to establish shared services centres (SSCs) in order to reduce the level of fragmentation. However, is the level of fragmentation decreased by establishing SSCs and was avoiding fragmentation the only motive of the initiators, or can we distinguish other motives as well? Based on two case studies, I concluded that at first sight the level of fragmentation is decreased by establishing SSCs. However, by establishing SSCs new problems concerning fragmentation could arise between the ministries and the SSCs. Moreover, avoiding fragmentation was not the only motive of the initiators; they also intended to enlarge their power in relation to other ministries.