Mixed companies and local governance: no man can serve two masters

Nuno da Cruz and Rc Marques ()

LSE Research Online Documents on Economics from London School of Economics and Political Science, LSE Library

Abstract: This article looks at the use of institutionalized public–private partnership (PPP) arrangements by local governments for the delivery of different types of infrastructure. It starts by analyzing the mixed company model from a theoretical point of view, in particular the potential for internal regulation and the achievement of a relational agreement. Then, after discussing the practicalities of crafting this type of governance structure, four Portuguese case studies are examined. The empirical evidence on mixed companies operating in the water, waste, transportation, and education sectors shows that the extreme complexity involved in the whole life-cycle management of these companies usually leads to a poor protection of the public interest.

JEL-codes: J50 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (44)

Published in Public Administration, 2012, 90(3), pp. 737-758. ISSN: 0033-3298

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ehl:lserod:59778

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