Great Expectations of Public Service Delegation: A systematic review

Sjors Overman

Public Management Review, 2016, vol. 18, issue 8, 1238-1262

Abstract: Politicians use a variety of expectations to justify the delegation of public services to public, semi-public or private organizations. This article reveals expectations of delegation, as well as its correlates. Empirical evidence is drawn from a systematic review of 250 peer-reviewed articles published in leading public administration journals between 2000 and 2012. This study identifies a discourse with three main categories of justifications: scientists and practitioners expect economic, political, and organizational benefits. The effects associated with delegation are not in line with these expectations. Delegation has inconsistent correlations to outcomes when governments maintain a role in service delivery. Complete privatization is associated with negative outcomes. These results have important implications for the study and practice of delegation.

Date: 2016
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (9)

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DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2015.1103891

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