1 The theory of partnership

This article investigates joined-up government, especially the policies designed to incentivise partnering between municipalities, adopting an as yet under-explored perspective of the organizational type. A recent survey conducted in the Lombardy Region (Northern Italy) shows that, despite the financial incentives allocated by the regional administration to promote local agency collaboration, only one-fifth of the services currently made available by local councils are delivered in associative form. While the councils seem to have grasped the importance of partnership to help provide coordinated responses to public needs, in practice, the evidence is mixed, in terms of both the size of the aggregations and the types of projects implemented on the back of the regional programs. The paper claims that the rational assumption of the incentive policies (i.e. more financial incentives = more partnership creation) is too simplistic and concludes with some reflections on the use of a theore...

This paper attempts to identify if partnerships between public, private and voluntary/community organisations provide an adequate mode of governance in today's local political domain. In order to do this the paper refers to the notion of governance and its current meanings as well as to different modes of governance applied to local politics. It argues that the 'Network and Policy Communities' mode is the one that matches most accurately the nature and functioning of partnerships. Based on this, it then empirically examines the existence of partnerships as governance modes in the cases of two partnership schemes (one in the UK, one in Sweden) and the implications of cultural and other differences reflected in the formation of partnerships. Following the theoretical and empirical evidence the paper argues that current policy-making procedures implemented within local orientated partnerships can be considered as features of an alternative governance mode. It recognises however existence of significant dysfunctional elements.

Policy Brief, 2008

2001

This paper attempts to identify if public-private partnerships, as organisational structures, can satisfy the requirements of a system of governance at the local political level. In order to do so the paper defines the notion of governance, sets up the scene for the Community Governance-Local Development model as the main theoretical tool for examining the paper's propositions, and compares the theoretical evidence with the main features of local publicprivate partnerships. It then attempts to examine empirically these theoretical propositions by illustrating two cases of local public-private partnerships, one in the Midlands and one in North Yorkshire. Following the evidence, the paper argues that current policy-making procedures implemented within local public-private partnerships can be considered as features of governance. It recognises though co-existence of 'traditional' ways of governing as well as existence of significant dysfunctional elements.

2003

This research examines the effectiveness presented by Public-Private Partnerships as a mechanism to promoting growth and building capacity in South Africa, at both the national and local level. It is concerned with exploring the broader benefits of publicprivate partnerships outside the range of technical and financial contributions and investigates the extent of capacity building that is necessary to bring about stronger more sustainable partnerships. Comparison is undertaken by means of analyses of primary and secondary data to determine international trends and best practice in the adoption of the public-private partnership approach. A series of key informant interviews will assist determine the effectiveness and benefits presented by public-private partnerships through the perceptions of key players and policy makers at policy level and implementation level. Different case experiences will also be used determine the existing experiences of publicprivate partnerships and to establish a way forward for future public-private partnerships. It can be concluded that despite the infrastructure and service delivery backlogs and the crisis faced by most governments in the developing world, most world local governments are looking to decentralization as an option to promote sustainable development. As part of this process local governments have been found to seek solutions in partnering with the private sector to effect more efficient service delivery solutions to the communities served. Public-Private partnerships present a very good policy tool which can create many positive benefits if managed and structured correctly. For Public-Private Partnerships to succeed there has to be high levels of commitment from all stakeholders, and the process must be effected in a participatory and consultative manner to ensure that such partnerships are sustainable and beneficial towards promoting growth.

This paper explores the issues around the recent developments of Strategic Partnerships at Local Level based on the initiatives for community regeneration and economic development introduced by the New Labour in order to achieve urban renaissance. The paper sets the policy scene emphasising on strategic partnership arrangements and suggests the steps needed for achieving urban renaissance. It concludes with the reasons why Strategic Partnerships at Local Level constitute a worthwhile way forward recognising though significant dysfunctional elements in the implementation of policies.

2010

This article aims to shed light on the evaluation o f public policies designed to incentivize partnering between municipalities. The increasing u se of interorganisational arrangements to implement public programs poses yet another challen ge for public managers and academics: that of developing an evaluation method for these i nitiatives. The variety of intermunicipal arrangements implemented in Lombardy analysed and r eported in this article highlights the influence of policy incentives on the capacity to c reate and maintain collaborative efforts in the context of local development. Our qualitative s tudy extends the evaluation research on implementation but reaches mixed conclusions on wha t makes associative forms effective.

Proceedings of the IPADA Conference, 2021

Governments across the world have given local authorities more freedom and power to meet the needs of their citizens and communities. Establishing local authorities has been in line with the quest for self-governance in matters that affect their local aspirations. Existing studies acknowledged that while decen-tralisation has increased urbanization and a sense of fulfilment of local community aspirations, it has plunged local administrations in a state of administrative grief caused by resource constraints to meet needs of the rising populations and local communities. To salvage constraints, public private partnerships (PPPs) have been adopted as a rescue option. Little is known on the applicability of PPPs in local governments in developing economies. The aim of the study was to explore practices associated with PPP application in local government setup. Based on an exploratory review of literature, the study provides guidance on the use and context of the application of PPPs in local government. The outcome of the study is important since the administrative grief is enlarging due to COVID-19 effects, yet the bulk of citizens continue to put pressure on local authorities to deliver service amidst financial constraints.

2010