Privatization of local government services is assumed to deliver cost savings, but empirical evidence for this from around the world mixed. We conduct a meta-regression analysis all econometric studies examining privatization water distribution and solid waste collection find no systematic support lower costs with private production. Differences in study results are explained by differences time period analyses, service characteristics, policy environment. do not genuine effect savings...

Analysis of local government contracting decisions typically focuses on transactions costs related to service characteristics, especially asset specificity and difficulty contract management. This analysis expands the focus include market characteristics (competition), citizen (public interest in delivery process), place (metro status public management) finds these are more important factors. A 2007 survey US city managers' rankings 67 services by costs, competition, is combined with a...

Austerity and fiscal crisis make the search for cost‐saving reforms in local government more critical. While cost savings from privatization have frequently proven ephemeral, inter‐municipal cooperation has been a relatively understudied reform. We analyse literature on under find that are dependent (1) structure of public services, particularly those related to scale density economies externalities, (2) (size, metropolitan location, powers granted by nation or regional state), (3)...

Polycentric theory, as applied to sustainability policy adoption, contends that municipalities will act independently provide public services protect the environment. Our multilevel regression analysis of survey responses from 1,497 across United States challenges notion. We find internal drivers municipal action are insufficient. Lower adoption is explained by capacity constraints. More making occurs in states with a governance framework supportive local action. Contrary Fischel’s homevoter...

Social impact bonds (SIBs) attract private investment to social programs by paying a market rate of return if predefined outcome targets are met. SIBs monetize benefits interventions and tie pay performance, limiting governmental control once the contract is designed. Despite policy enthusiasm across globe, have failed investors without substantial additional guarantees. raise questions about government's ability ensure broader public values. Using literature on contracting, performance...

Capturing the benefits of competition is a key argument for outsourcing public services, yet service markets often lack sufficient competition. The authors use survey and interview data from U.S. local governments to explore responses managers noncompetitive markets. This research indicates that weak in most government (fewer than two alternative providers on average across 67 services measured), relationship between contracting choice varies by type. Public respond suboptimal market...

Abstract Local government restructuring should no longer be viewed as a simple dichotomy between private and public provision. A 1997 survey of chief elected township county officials in New York shows that local governments use both sector mechanisms to structure the market, create competition, attain economies scale. In addition privatization inter‐municipal cooperation, two alternative forms service delivery not previously researched—reverse governmental entrepreneurship—are analyzed...

The privatization experience of U.S. municipalities shows declining use complete contracts and a dramatic rise in mixed public–private delivery (joint contracting) city services. analysis here that managers have recognized the need to move beyond simple dichotomy between market public planning an approach balances concerns with efficiency, management, citizen satisfaction. New Public Management stresses importance competition transaction costs economics emphasizes challenges contract Service...

Differences in national traditions of public intervention, institutional arrangements and service markets make local services an area great diversity. In this paper we undertake a comparative study how governments arrange for delivery water waste the US Spain. We find levels privatization are higher Spain than US. review organizational reform two contexts compare data using surveys from each country. lower less stable stems part adherence to choice emphasis on benefits market competition...

Political fragmentation in metropolitan regions makes equitable and efficient delivery of public services difficult. Regionalism, although promoted as more rational, has found limited political support. Public choice theory argues, against regionalism, that can promote competition efficiency by creating markets for services. The authors assess the efficacy market solutions service provision comparing privatization with intermunicipal cooperation evaluating each on efficiency, equity,...

Abstract City service delivery requires planners and city managers to move beyond the public–private dichotomy explore benefits of interaction between markets planning. Using International County Management survey data on US local governments from 1992, 1997 2002, we find a shift where reverse contracting (re-internalisation) now exceeds level new out (privatisation). We model how theoretical public management in administration mirrors behavioural among managers. Results confirm need balance...

Inter-municipal cooperation is an important public service delivery reform, whose drivers move beyond simple concerns with costs and economic efficiency, to policy issues related governance structure spatial context. We conduct a meta-regression analysis based on the existing multivariate empirical literature explore what factors explain divergence in results studies. find strong evidence that fiscal constraints, spatial, organizational are significant of cooperation. Our meta-regressions do...

Problem, research strategy, and findings: While contracting for the private delivery of public services is common, reversals from to provision are also common. Indeed, our U.S. data indicate insourcing (reverse contracting) roughly equal level new outsourcing 2002–2007. We analyze these better understand how city managers decide privatize services, or reverse their privatization. The International City/County Management Association collected survey on form service 67 local government...

Local government scholars are giving increasing attention to market solutions urban service delivery. Intermunicipal contracting and privatization two approaches reaching economies of scale. Using national data on over one thousand municipalities from across the United States for 1992–2007 period, we explore differences between intermunicipal assess how use these relates efficiency, scale, public engagement factors. probit models each four survey years (1992, 1997, 2002, 2007), find only...

Scholars embrace multilevel governance as an analytical framework for complex problems, such climate change or water pollution. However, the elements needed to comprehensively operationalize remain undefined in literature. This article describes five necessary ingredients a framework: sanctioning and coordinating authority, provision of capacity, knowledge co-production, framing co-benefits, engagement civil society. The framework's utility is illustrated through two contrasting case...

Since the Great Recession, some have argued that local governments become ‘austerity machines’ cut and privatize services undermine unions. We conducted a national survey of US municipalities in 2012 to examine how service provision level delivery methods are related stress capacity, controlling for community need place characteristics. find balancing pressures with needs. They use alternative revenue sources (privatization cooperation) maintain services. Unionization is not barrier...

Marketisation of urban service delivery gained renewed intensity in the crisis. Mobilising Polanyi's concept double movement, we analyse how marketisation public services both creates and constrains potential for counter movements USA Europe. We identify three main responses: 'hollowing out', where cities engage cut backs; 'riding wave', attempt to harness market; 'push backs', citizen oppose marketisation. Although city is constrained by at national international levels, find evidence push...

Re-municipalization is part of a broader set reverse privatization reforms. We argue the term re-municipalization lacks conceptual clarity, confusing municipal level reversals from national ones, new service delivery reversals, and mixed market positions full public control. This confusion makes measurement difficult. While more case studies are being discovered, quantitative time series do not show remunicipalization increasing. Much study based research argues politically transformative,...

This work used event study to examine the impact of three policies (shutdowns, reopening, and mask mandates) on changes in daily COVID-19 infection growth rate at state level US (February through August 2020). The results show importance early intervention: shutdowns mandates reduced immediately after being imposed statewide. Over longer term, had a larger effect flattening curve than shutdowns. increase pushed governments shut down, but reopening led significant increases new cases 21 days...

Abstract Privatization and decentralization represent market‐based approaches to government. Designed increase efficiency responsiveness of government, these also limit the potential for redistribution. A key question is: how will rural governments compete in such a system? Will they be favoured, as their reliance on market provision public goods is higher due smaller number services provided by government? Or less able costs sparsity, which may make them attractive suppliers? Data from...

Use of business incentives is one the most common local economic development strategies. The authors analyze national surveys 700 to 1,000 governments from 1994, 1999, and 2004 track use over time. They find a shift primary reliance on broader set strategies that includes retention small support. also evidence policy learning with increased attention accountability among incentives. model results suggest rely heavily may face more intergovernmental competition, stagnating or declining...