Original scientific paper
Institutional Change Of Quasi-Market Arrangements In Local Public Transportation – Comparative Observations From Germany And Finland
Torsten Seidel
; School of Management, University of Tampere, Finland
Jarmo Vakkuri
; Professor, School of Management, University of Tampere, Finland
Abstract
The paper analyses the effects of implementation of quasi-market reforms on local public transportation systems in Finland and Germany. Along with several other sectors of public service, local public transportation (LPT) has been subject to market-oriented reforms. In line with worldwide New Public Management reforms, quasi-market arrangements are presumed to produce more value for
money for users and citizens. The aim of this paper is to analytically compare the organisational settings of LPT provision and delineate the factors that contribute to institutional convergence and divergence when applying quasi-market models. An extensive dataset of six case cities from Finland and Germany is used in order to analyse some of the most important trends and trajectories for different governmental levels (e.g., EU regulation), reflecting upon the empirical findings
from the two countries. Utilizing an institutional theory approach, the relevant quasi-market arrangements in LPT are covered: public monopoly, private monopoly and competitive tendering. The study discusses different factors that contribute to or hinder market-oriented structures in LPT and explores institutional theory-driven explanations as to why, for instance, Finland embraces market
structures, whereas Germany shows more resistance to increased competition. Certain issues that seem quite similar irrespective of the two countries’ contexts are discussed as well.
Keywords
local public services; public transportation; markets quasi-markets; Finland; Germany
Hrčak ID:
149563
URI
Publication date:
16.9.2015.
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