Public-Private Partnerships and the Public Accountability Question

摘要

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) are growing in popularity as a governing model for the delivery of public goods and services. The authors examine the concept of public accountability and its application to government and private firms involved in PPPs. Viewing the exercise of accountability as top-down "control" is unlikely to be helpful for addressing accountability in PPPs that are intrinsically rooted in cooperative relationships. An analytical framework is proposed for assessing the extent to which PPPs provide (or will provide) goods and services consistent with public sector goals of effectiveness, efficiency and equity. Six dimensions-risk, costs and benefits, political and social impacts, expertise, collaboration, and performance measurement-are incorporated into a new model that assists public managers in improving partnerships' public accountability.