PRIVATISATION: A WIDER PERSPECTIVE. 13TH AUSTRALASIAN TRANSPORT RESEARCH FORUM, CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND, 18-21 JULY 1988; FORUM PAPERS. VOLUME 1 AND 2

Underlying the current popularity of privatisation as a panacea for our woes is the perception that most things the public sector does, the private sector could do better. This belief tends to be based on the strength of theoretical economic factors such as profit maximisation. This paper, therefore, commences with an examination of privatisation from an economic perspective. In doing so, it reviews the concept of privatisation, its theoretical appeal as well as recent privatisation experience, with particular emphasis on the transport and communication sector. However, it is readily apparent that privatisation, its objectives and role, is a more complex issue, involving the interrelationship of politics, history, organisational theory, management, psychology, and even international trade, as well as economics. Privatisation is one of a number of policy responses available to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public sector organisations. However, the privatisation debate needs to be cognisant of the wider arena in which the issue is based and to question its real objectives. This paper therefore concludes that privatisation should only proceed with caution, as its foundations are not theoretically strong, nor its practical consequences unambiguous. Author/TRRL) (Author/TRRL)

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  • Corporate Authors:

    Ministry of Transport, New Zealand

    38-42 Waring Taylor Street, P.O. Box 3175
    Wellington,   New Zealand 
  • Authors:
    • STEPHENS, M
    • Nolan, A
  • Publication Date: 1988

Language

  • English

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Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00492882
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Source Agency: Transport and Road Research Laboratory (TRRL)
  • ISBN: 0-477-05209-6
  • Files: ITRD, TRIS
  • Created Date: May 31 1990 12:00AM