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...

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)...

Abstract Many empirical works have been devoted to analysing the factors explaining local privatisation. Overall, most of analyses low explanatory power due methodological difficulties in capturing dynamic nature privatisation decision. The variables often considered are those related fiscal stress and cost reduction political processes ideological attitudes. Our review indicates that pressure from interest group early studies US consider a broad range services. Furthermore, considerations...

This article examines the determinants of location large firms’ headquarters across a rich sample European urban areas, focusing on availability non-stop intercontinental flights. We also account for influence other aspects: proximity to markets and specialized providers, congestion tax costs, skilled labor, role area in home country. Controlling these factors, we find that direct flights has headquarters’ location. confirms importance transport infrastructures tacit information exchanges...

Abstract Recent evidence on the savings from private production of local public services has become increasingly ambiguous. Here we specify and estimate a model to explain municipal costs for solid waste collection. As find no effect mode costs, put forward two hypotheses. First, progressive concentration decreases in bidding competition may come outweigh gains privatization. Second, threat privatization have stimulated unit managers search alternative reforms. The results suggest that both...

In April 2009, the U.S. government unveiled its blueprint for a national network of high‐speed passenger rail (HSR) lines, aimed at reducing traffic congestion, cutting dependence on foreign oil, and improving rural urban environments. implementing such project, it is essential to identify factors that might influence decision making eventual success HSR as well foresee obstacles must be overcome. The authors review, summarize, analyze most important projects carried out date around globe,...

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...

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...

The main objective of this work is to examine whether small municipalities can reduce costs through cooperation and delegation. We first factors explaining the decision cooperate delegate service delivery responsibility, in case residential solid waste services, another government. Furthermore, we estimate impact on providing services. empirical analysis done using a sample Spanish municipalities. Results suggest that pragmatic choice for with suboptimal size: by delegating face lower...

Scholarly empirical studies on factors that motivate local privatisation have greatly grown in the last decade. As well, having available better and more comprehensive databases using refined techniques made possible to enhance our understanding of dynamics privatisation, particularly many European countries. The influence fiscal stress, cost considerations – scale economies as well transaction costs political partisan interests is usually confirmed. Furthermore, ideological attitudes appear...

Inter-municipal cooperation in public service delivery has attracted the interest of local authorities seeking to reform provision. Cost saving, together with better quality and coordination, been among most important drivers such cooperation. However, empirical results on inter-municipal its associated costs offer divergent outcomes. By conducting a meta-regression analysis, we seek explain this discrepancy. We formulate several hypotheses regarding scale economies, transaction costs,...

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,...

Abstract Mixed public–private firms are increasingly used in several European countries. This paper makes use of survey data from Spanish municipalities to examine the motivations local governments for engaging partial privatisation service delivery water distribution and solid waste collection. The empirical analysis indicates that mixed emerge as a pragmatic middle way between purely public private production. Indeed, make when cost considerations, financial constraints interests exert...

Because of differences in institutional arrangements, public service markets, and national traditions regarding government intervention, local provision can vary greatly. In this paper we compare the procedures adopted by governments The Netherlands Spain arranging for solid waste collection. We find that faces a problem consolidation, opting more frequently to implement policies privatization cooperation, at expense competition. By contrast, Netherlands, which has larger municipalities on...

Intermunicipal cooperation is being increasingly adopted in various countries as a part of local service delivery reforms. This article draws on survey data from Spain's municipalities to examine the reasons underpinning decisions governments engage intermunicipal and privatisation. Our empirical analysis indicates that small prefer rely for reducing costs, while their larger counterparts privatise services. By cooperating, scale economies can be achieved with lower transaction costs fewer...