Public-Owned Enterprises (POEs)

Abstract

The second Chapter gives an overview of the main analytical approaches adopted in the rest of the analysis, providing also a brief historical reconstruction of the role of Public Owned Enterprises (POEs). The examination shows how, within a general pathway characterized by several stops and goes and changes of course, POEs have more recently become a widespread and specific way to manage public functions with respect to both internal management and full outsourcing. This phenomenon, often called satellizzation or corporatization, has thus attracted increasing interest by scientific studies, emphasizing at the same time positive aspects and pitfalls. Furthermore, the peculiarities of the links and inter-relationships among POEs, governance and corruption are presented, focusing on the guidelines and operative instructions elaborated by many international organizations and institutions to enhance anticorruption and integrity in POEs.