Marketization revisited

Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to introduce the IJPSM special issue on marketization to clarify the conceptual foundations of marketization as a phenomenon within the public sector and gauge current marketization trends based on the special issue’s seven papers. Design/methodology/approach – Conceptual clarification and cross-cutting review of seven papers analysing marketization in six countries in three policy areas at the level of local government. Findings – Four ideal-types models are deduced: quasi-markets involving both provider competition and free choice for users; classical contracting out; benchmarking and yardstick competition; and public-private collaboration. Based on the review of the seven papers, it is found that all elements in all marketization models are firmly embedded but also under dynamic change within public service delivery systems. The review also identifies limitations and modifications of the four ideal-type models. A key trend is a move towards public-private collaboration and cross-sectorial and inter-organizational governance arrangements. Research limitations/implications – Continued research on marketization would benefit from development of more fine-tuned theoretical models which are sensitive to the realm of the dynamics within particular policy and institutional contexts. Practical implications – Policy-makers should balance normative objectives against the experiences gained at the level of implementation. Originality/value – The special issue shows that marketization still is a concurrent phenomenon which is driving substantial change in public service delivery systems as well as is under dynamic change itself.

A review of the outcomes from contracting out urban green space maintenance: What we know, don’t know and should know

“…The idea or prescription that private contractors should be systematically involved in public service delivery with the purpose of improving public sector performance is associated with the rise of public reforms from the 1970s and onward subsumed under the heading of 'new public management' (NPM) (Hood, 1995). As part of its core values, the NPM has ingrained the wider neoliberal belief that various 'market-like' mechanisms, such as competition, free choice or benchmarking, are superior for coordinating and organizing public activities (Hansen and Lindholst, 2016). The belief has been backed by theoretical arguments on the private sector's comparative ability to operate more cost-effectively than the public sector due to stronger competitive and (profit-based) economic incentives to innovate and bring down operational costs (Boyne, 1998).…”

“…One profound change within local governments' delivery of maintenance services in urban parks and green spaces in many countries in the last four decades is a shift toward greater reliance on private contractorsa shift that simultaneously has challenged and reduced public authorities' reliance on in-house provision (Jones, 2000;Lindholst, 2009;Nuppenau, 2009). In a global perspective, the increased reliance on private contractors in the public sector is one tangible result from the last four decades' reform push promoting new organizational and managerial instruments and values based on a neoliberal belief in 'markets' as superior mechanisms for improving the performance of service delivery (Pollitt and Bouckaert, 2011;Hansen and Lindholst, 2016).…”

Publicness in times of market accountability: Lessons from a changing hospital industry in Germany

“…This implies that conformity to political prescriptions is less relevant than achievements in what has been labelled market accountability throughout the wider literature (Borowiak, 2011; Garn, 2001; Lægreid, 2014; Page, 2006). While marketization came with various models (see Hansen and Lindholst, 2016, dealing with healthcare), these models share general characteristics when considering its relation to publicness. As Borowiak (2011: 135) mentions, market accountability can foster the publicness of a given provider and its services, e.g.…”

Lógica de Mercado Como Medida de Eficiência da Organização do Carnaval de Olinda

“…Este último aspecto remete a um fenômeno amplamente discutido nos estudos críticos em marketing, a mercadização (tradução livre de marketization). Tal conceito diz respeito à difusão da lógica de mercado nas mais diversas esferas da vida em sociedade (McAlexander, Dufault, Martin, & Schouten, 2014;Özgün, Dholakia, & Atik, 2017), inclusive à produção e à circulação de produtos culturais (Chantepie, Becut, & Ratiu, 2015) e às práticas de gestão pública em várias esferas, quando pautadas por mecanismos de ação típicos do mercado e de ambientes competitivos (Hansen & Lindholst, 2016). Para Özgün, Dholakia e Atik (2017), um importante aporte para a crítica a esse fenômeno é a análise da governabilidade neoliberal empreendida por Michel Foucault, na medida em que esse fenômeno não é problematizado na contemporaneidade, mas a partir de uma análise histórica que reconhece a emergência do mercado não de forma reificada, mas como um dispositivo político que surge de mudanças históricas.…”