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In Search of Middle Ground

The Public Authority as an Alternative to Privatization

John C. Morris

Old Dominion University

This article argues against privatization and for the use of an existing organizational arrangement, one that may take advantage of private-sector efficiencies while maintaining public accountability. Public authorities are already in widespread use around the nation at all levels of government, yet the utility of the public authority as a middle ground between traditional (bureaucratic) public-sector organizational forms and privatization has yet to be explored systematically. We suggest that the use of public authorities provide additional efficiencies without the loss of accountability (or the imposition of expensive accountability arrangements) often found in privatization arrangements. The theoretical basis of the public authority explores its use as an alternative to privatization and encourages debate among public works scholars and practitioners about the use of alternative organizational arrangements for public works functions. A case illustrates how public authorities are situated to provide market-like benefits while minimizing accountability problems and bureaucratic inefficiencies.

Key Words: privatization • public authorities • organizational arrangements • accountability

Public Works Management & Policy, Vol. 9, No. 2, 154-163 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1087724X04268555


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