Contracting Capacity and Perceived Contracting Performance: Nonlinear Effects and the Role of Time

• 成果类型: Article
• 署名作者: Yang, Kaifeng; Hsieh, Jun Yi; Li, Tzung Shiun
• 署名单位: State University System of Florida; Florida State University; University of Taipei; Taipei Municipal University Education
• 刊物名称: PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION REVIEW
• ISSN/ISSBN: 0033-3352
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1540-6210.2009.02017.x
• 发表日期: 2009
• 页码: 681-696
• 关键词: TRANSACTION COST THEORY; governance inseparability; Competitive advantage; management capacity; local-government; firm; privatization; ACCOUNTABILITY; PERSPECTIVES; services

摘要

Contracting out has become a popular strategy in public service delivery, but it remains uncertain whether and how government can ensure contracting performance. As a result, a growing literature emphasizes the importance of governments' contracting capacities. Yet very few studies have empirically assessed how contracting capacities relate to contracting performance. This article identifies four types of contracting capacities in terms of agenda setting, contract formulation, contract implementation, and contract evaluation, relating them to three performance dimensions including cost, efficiency, and quality. Drawing from a manager survey from Taiwan, the article shows that the relationships between the capacities and the performance indicators are not always straightforward or linear, and the relationships are complicated by the role of time. The results suggest that contracting capacities have both benefits and costs, and the solutions rooted in the economics theory should not be taken beyond their appropriate boundaries.