Public – Private Partnerships as Catalysts for Community-Based Water Infrastructure Development: The Border WaterWorks Program in Texas and New Mexico Colonias

10.1068/c12w ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 20 (2) ◽  
pp. 281-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Carmen Lemos ◽  
Diane Austin ◽  
Robert Merideth ◽  
Robert G Varady
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Disadvantaged Communities ◽  
Mexico Border ◽  
Water And Wastewater ◽  
Public Versus Private

Increased awareness of shortcomings in both provision and maintenance of public services is triggering new approaches to policymaking and service delivery. Conventional debates over public versus private service provision obscure the multiple configurations possible. We consider the effectiveness and desirability of an alternative approach to public-service provision of water and wastewater services, specifically the Border Waterworks program, which has helped deliver water-related services to economically disadvantaged communities ( colonias) along the US – Mexico border. We explore some issues that emerge when nonprofit organizations take on functions of governments and service providers, and examine the conditions under which the provision of water and wastewater infrastructure can be advanced by nonprofit organizations. We conclude that the general effectiveness of Border Waterworks was thanks to its ability to adapt to local circumstances and respond to situations as they arose in the context of the numerous problems in colonias. We also conclude that nonprofit providers are most effective when they serve as catalysts that assist the public sector rather than when they provide public-service infrastructure on their own.

scholarly journals The community philanthropic foundation: A new form of independent public service provider for China?

2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 210-235 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shihong Weng ◽  
Tom Christensen
Keyword(s):  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Public Governance ◽  
Public Issues ◽  
For Profit ◽  
Governance Systems ◽  
New Type ◽  
Philanthropic Foundation

There have been growing calls for new theories understand public governance with respect to service provision collaboration involving nonprofit and for-profit actors. In this article, we develop a framework for analyzing whether and how independent public service providers change cross-sector collaboration. We examine new forms of collaboration in nonprofit organizations in China. Based on a discussion of the effectiveness of public service delivery by community philanthropic foundations in three Chinese cities, our analysis reveals that the new type of collaboration entities are attempting to meet unfulfilled public needs. Outside the government’s hierarchical structure, nonprofit and for-profit actors jointly form independent organizations to address public issues. However, because public governance systems are more centralized in China than in many Western countries, the country faces major challenges in the production and delivery of public goods and in implementing service reforms. This article extends the existing research discourse on public governance and cross-sector collaboration.

scholarly journals Public Private Partnership between Local Governments and Nonprofits in Japan

2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Naoko Okuyama ◽  
Yu Ishida ◽  
Naoto Yamauchi
Keyword(s):  
Local Government ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Local Governments ◽  
Nonprofit Sector ◽  
Public Private Partnership ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
Private Partnership ◽  
Public Service Provision

In the framework of public sector reform and the recently popularized concept of a “new public sphere,” attention has been focused on the significance and effectiveness of public private partnership (PPP). However, the smooth operation of PPP practice is yet to be realized, and the nonprofit sector still faces challenges in becoming a government partner in public service provision. We examine government behavior in PPP practice and its stance on partnership practice and collaborative relations with contemporary nonprofit organizations. Through public finance statistics and a unique set of variables, an empirical analysis reveals that the existence of nonprofit organizations (NPOs) positively affects local government decisions to implement PPP practices and outsource to NPOs for public service provision. Other influential factors include local governments’ budgetary conditions, attitudes towards public administration and finance, local chief executive characteristics, and neighboring local government behaviors.

Quasi-Market Competition in Public Service Provision: User Sorting and Cream-Skimming

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thorbjørn Sejr Guul ◽  
Ulrik Hvidman ◽  
Hans Henrik Sievertsen
Keyword(s):  
Grade Point Average ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Market Competition ◽  
Geographical Area ◽  
Public High Schools ◽  
Grade Point ◽  
Cream Skimming ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Quasi-markets that introduce choice and competition between public service providers are intended to improve quality and efficiency. This article demonstrates that quasi-market competition may also affect the distribution of users. First, we develop a simple theoretical framework that distinguishes between user sorting and cream-skimming as mechanisms through which quasi-markets may lead to high-ability users becoming more concentrated among one group of providers and low-ability users among a different group. Second, we empirically examine the impact of a nationwide quasi-market policy that introduced choice and activity-based budgeting into Danish public high schools. We exploit variation in the degree of competition that schools were exposed to, based on the concentration of providers within a geographical area. Using a differences-in-differences design—and register data containing the full population of students over a 9-year period (N = 207,394)—we show that the composition of students became more concentrated in terms of intake grade point average after the reform in high-competition areas relative to low-competition areas. These responses in high-competition regions appear to be driven both by changes in user sorting on the demand side and by cream-skimming behavior among public providers on the supply side.

scholarly journals “I Didn’t Want to be a Burden”: Improving Interactions between Refugees and Nonprofit Service Providers

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 209
Author(s):  
Brittany Keegan
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
First Person ◽  
Empowerment Theory ◽  
Government Assistance ◽  
Research Questions

As newly resettled refugees integrate into their new communities they often receive services from nonprofit organizations to supplement government assistance. However, there has been little research regarding how nonprofit service providers and refugees interact with one another and perceive these interactions. This qualitative study uses data gathered from 60 first-person, open-ended interviews with refugees and nonprofit service providers to fill this gap. The research questions are: How do refugees being served by nonprofits express their perceptions of the services they receive to nonprofit service providers? To what extent do refugees feel that nonprofit service providers are responsive to their needs? And, how do nonprofit staff and volunteers report responding to the needs of their refugee clients? This article is framed using empowerment theory, where refugee needs and perspectives are at the forefront of service provision decisions

scholarly journals Social enterprises, marketing, and sustainable public service provision

2018 ◽  
Vol 86 (1) ◽  
pp. 62-79 ◽  
Author(s):  
Madeline Powell ◽  
Stephen P. Osborne
Keyword(s):  
Relationship Marketing ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Management ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Social Enterprises ◽  
North East ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
Service Oriented

This article explores whether social enterprises are capable of fulfilling the public policy rhetoric surrounding them, to become sustainable providers of public services. It does this by examining their marketing activity within North-East England and focuses on social enterprises delivering adult social care public services. It finds that social enterprises are employing a product-dominant approach to marketing rather than a service-oriented, relationship marketing, approach. This undermines their ability to build the enduring relationships with all their key stakeholders that are the key to effective service management and fatally weakens their potential as sustainable public service providers. The article subsequently uses service theory to build an alternative model of marketing and business practice predicated precisely upon the need to build such relationships. Points for practitioners This article points to the need for public service practitioners to embrace a service orientation to the management of public services, rather than a product-dominant one derived from manufacturing. It outlines the key elements of relationship marketing in particular and highlights how this approach can contribute substantially to sustainable public service provision.

The Positive and Negative Consequences of “Managerialization”: Evidence From Japanese Nonprofit Elderly Care Service Providers

2018 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 309-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoshitaka Shirinashihama
Keyword(s):  
Financial Performance ◽  
Nonprofit Organizations ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Care Service ◽  
Elderly Care ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Top Managers ◽  
Budgetary Control ◽  
Negative Effect

In recent decades, many researchers have pointed out that nonprofit organizations are becoming “managerialized.” Although the “managerialization” may enable these organizations to improve their financial performance, it may also reduce their unprofitable mission-related services. However, there are few studies examining both aspects simultaneously. This study focuses on the managerialization of nonprofit organizations, especially the tightness of budgetary control systems and characteristics of top managers, as well as the negative and positive consequences of becoming managerialized. To test our hypotheses, we collected information about Japanese nonprofit elderly care service providers using a survey. Research results revealed top managers with more experience tend to improve the financial performance of nonprofit elderly care service providers using tight budgetary control. However, the results show no relationship between tight budgetary control and the provision of unprofitable mission-related services. Thus, in our setting, managerialization has a positive effect; there is no negative effect.

scholarly journals Lymphedema Rehabilitation: Provision and Practice Patterns among Service Providers: National Survey

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammed Taher Ahmed Omar ◽  
Nouf Al-Dhwayan ◽  
Rehab FM ◽  
Jane M. Armer
Keyword(s):  
Service Provision ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Public Hospitals ◽  
Perceived Barriers ◽  
Background Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Related Services ◽  
Secondary Lymphedema

Abstract Background: Information on the current practices and quantification of lymphedema service may be beneficial to promote and improve health care system. Therefore, this study aimed to describe characteristics of lymphedema practitioners, and lymphedema patients’ profile, and provide a comprehensive picture of lymphedema service provision in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional study involved use of an online survey. The survey questionnaires included information about demographic and professional characteristics of lymphedema practitioners, lymphedema profile, questions on the services provided, and perceived barriers in providing a service. Results: Eighteen lymphedema practitioners (37.50%) responded to the survey. They worked in the major cities: Riyadh (78%), Jeddah (17%), and Dammam (5%), and most of them working in public hospitals (67%). Respondents typically had a background in physical or occupational therapy and had completed a basic training course on lymphedema treatment and management. About 75% of patients seen by practitioners had secondary lymphedema, 47% with breast cancer-related lymphedema. On average 72%, practitioners provide a “comprehensive” lymphedema services. The average number of lymphedema practitioners per service is 2.67. The perceived barriers reported included an inadequate number of certified therapists (100%), difficulties with transportation and lack of financial support (each =72%), and limited space for lymphedema practice/management (89%). Conclusion: The results suggest that lymphedema practitioners provide a reasonable, but not the optimal, services for lymphedema patients. The service provision is still limited and inequities. Therefore, more staffing is required to promote awareness of the condition and related services, improve referral and care coordination, and enhancing geographical and multidisciplinary coordination of the service.

scholarly journals Co-Creation of Public Service Innovation Using Open Data and Social Media

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (3) ◽  
pp. 64-77
Author(s):  
Harri Jalonen ◽  
Tuomo Helo
Keyword(s):  
Social Media ◽  
Citizen Participation ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Digital Technology ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Open Data ◽  
Service Innovation ◽  
Service Users ◽  
Time Data

This article presents the analysis of the usage of open data and social media in the co-creation of public service innovation. The article concludes that using open data and social media in co-creation of public service innovation is a promising approach but not yet fully implemented. It seems clear that the advances in digital technology may provide a bridge for bringing service providers and service users together. The benefits are clear. First, the more accurate and real-time data available, the more effective the service provision will be. Second, the more citizen participation, the more tailored services can be co-created. Third, the more transparent governance becomes, the more legitimate and accountable it becomes. Fourth, governmental legitimacy increases societal trust which supports knowledge sharing and spurs innovation. However, co-creation of public service innovations can be more complex, more unpredictable, and more political than what the rhetoric indicates.

Shifting multilingual strategies in a Flemish public healthcare service

Multilingua ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 377-401 ◽  
Author(s):  
July De Wilde ◽  
Sarah Van Hoof ◽  
Sofie Decock ◽  
Pascal Rillof ◽  
Ellen Van Praet
Keyword(s):  
Family Support ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Public Healthcare ◽  
Service Encounters ◽  
The Public ◽  
Language Difference ◽  
Policy Shift ◽  
Ethnographic Data

AbstractThis paper addresses the challenges service providers are facing amidst growing ethnolinguistic diversity in a neoliberal climate. We focus on the public service provider Kind & Gezin (K&G), the agency that monitors the wellbeing of young children on behalf of the Flemish authorities in Belgium. We demonstrate that the organisation has taken various multilingual measures that go against the government’s preference for monolingual service provision. This is particularly the case for ‘bottom-up’ bilingual practices, where bilingual family support workers and medical staff developed bilingual routines in service provision, much in line with the ‘client-centered communication’ which K&G professes. Whereas these practices were initially endorsed by K&G’s management, a further diversification of K&G’s clientele, along with budgetary restrictions, prompted management to restrict these practices and explore alternative ways of providing multilingual services that do not require the recruitment of extra staff. Drawing on ethnographic data we explore the rationale underlying the organisation’s decision to restrict its multilingual policy and the way this decision is influenced by neoliberal principles which foreground effectiveness, efficiency, flexibility and entrepreneurialism. We conclude that the policy shift leads to ideological reconceptualisations of ‘language’ and ‘language difference’ that sit uncomfortably with the reality of language-discordant service encounters, as well as to redefinitions of the professional identity of bilingual family support workers.

scholarly journals Institutional Differentiation of Public Service Provision in Germany: Corporatisation, Privatisation and Re-Municipalisation

2021 ◽  
pp. 291-309
Author(s):  
Benjamin Friedländer ◽  
Manfred Röber ◽  
Christina Schaefer
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Public Service ◽  
Service Provision ◽  
Public Services ◽  
Institutional Arrangements ◽  
The Core ◽  
Public Service Provision ◽  
Institutional Differentiation ◽  
Institutional Landscape ◽  
Public Versus Private

AbstractIn recent decades, the provision of public services in Germany has increasingly been transferred to institutions outside the core administration. The process has resulted in a considerably changed institutional landscape with multiple effects on its steering, governance and management. The aim of this chapter is to highlight experiences with the four different institutional arrangements of corporatisation, outsourcing, privatisation and re-municipalisation in Germany. Against this background, we provide some lessons learnt for public administration and finally shift attention to the discussion on public versus private service provision.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document