Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government.

Article


Higgins, P., James, P. and Roper, I. 2004. Compulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government. Asia pacific journal of public administration. 26 (2), pp. 95-114.
TypeArticle
TitleCompulsory or not compulsory: the use of competition in British local government.
AuthorsHiggins, P., James, P. and Roper, I.
Abstract

This article examines the content and outcomes of the "competition" element of the British
Government's best value (BV) regime. It focuses on the claim that BV policy grants British
local authorities the freedom, previously absent from the former policy of compulsory
competitive tendering (CCT), to provide local services without recourse to compulsory
competition. Utilising results of a survey of BV lead officers, the article reveals that, while
the use of "competition " is far from ubiquitous, in terms of outcomes the services subject to
BV seem to be at least as likely to be provided externally as would have been the case under
CCT. Further analysis of the response of the BV inspection service to these outcomes and on
different types of service is provided.

Research GroupDiversity and Gender group
Employment Relations group
PublisherUniversity of Hong Kong
JournalAsia pacific journal of public administration
Publication dates
Print2004
Publication process dates
Deposited18 May 2009
Output statusPublished
Web address (URL)http://sunzi1.lib.hku.hk/hkjo/article.jsp?book=51&issue=500053
LanguageEnglish
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