Overview

The contracting out of public services, introduced by the Conservative government in the UK, is set to continue under the new Labour administration's policy of 'Best Value'. The search for best practice and new models of contracting continues. Why, and how, has compulsory competitive tendering, imposed by local government, resulted in different policy outputs at the local level in Britain? This book provides a thorough investigation of the key determinants affecting the output of CCT, and addresses the dynamics of public service contracting via both the quantitative and the qualitative methods of analysis. The author shows the importance of the politics of transaction costs, in relation to the implementation of CCT policy. In doing so, he addresses theoretical questions which focus on specific aspects of privatisation. The investigation is centred on a study of 296 non-metropolitan districts in England. The detailed case studies then apply the politics of transaction costs framework to analyse how CCT output has been generated. The experience of four local authorities are compared to clarify the approach each local authority has taken in relation to CCT. The author concludes with suggestions for other countries seeking to introduce public service contracting, to assist them in implementing and managing the system more effectively. The dynamics of public service contracting is essential reading for students and practitioners of public administration, policy makers, policy analysts, and all those interested in the restructuring of the public sector.

Full Product Details

9781861341396

Table of Contents

Reviews

Author Information

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available