Corporatisation in local government: Context, evidence and perspectives from 19 countries. By MariekeVan Genugten, BartVoorn, RhysAndrews, UlfPapenfuß, HaraldTorsteinsen, Cham: Springer. 2023. pp. 497. €119.99 (hardcover). ISBN: 978‐3‐031‐09981‐6
本书通过19个国家的案例，系统分析了地方政府公司化的实践、趋势与影响，适合公共管理学者、政策制定者及从业者深入了解市政公司如何运作及其对公共服务的影响。
“Corporatisation in Local Government: An Introduction” is a book that presents an in-depth view of the phenomenon of corporatization in the context of local government in various countries. This book takes strong steps in unpacking the layers of complexity of this topic and provides a deep understanding of the practices, trends, and implications of corporatization in local government. This book is clearly aimed at academics, researchers, practitioners, and policy makers interested in public administration, local government, or related topics. Readers who want a deeper understanding of how local governments in various countries use corporate entities in the provision of public services will find this book very useful. The main idea of this book is to provide a holistic view of corporatization in local government. This book achieves this goal well. By discussing corporatization from various points of view and with powerful case studies, this book explains this concept in detail. The quality of this book can be measured based on the accuracy of the research methods used and the reliability of the information sources presented. In this regard, the authors have gone to great lengths in gathering views and data from a number of different countries, creating a solid foundation for their arguments. The use of data and statistics in this book not only supports the findings and analysis presented, but also confirms reliability of the book's contents. The research methodology applied by the authors can be considered a valid approach to dig deeper into the topics raised in this book. Thus, this book can be trusted as a reliable source of information in understanding the phenomenon of regional government corporatization. It is important to understand the context and motivation behind writing this book. The authors recognize the importance of documenting and analyzing corporatization trends in local government, especially with the growth of such corporate entities worldwide. This book responds to the urge to understand these practices and share their findings with the academic and practitioner communities. This book is very relevant in the context of literature on public administration and local government. While there are many works on this topic, this book stands out for its strong comparative approach and solid data support. This allows readers to see clearer comparisons between countries and provides a richer view of the diversity in corporatization practices. This book has a number of striking strengths. One of its main strengths is the comparative approach used by the authors. They gather the views of a range of academic experts in a variety of countries, providing invaluable insights into local government corporatization trends and practices in a variety of national contexts. This approach helps bring readers into the diverse world of Municipally Owned Corporations (MOCs) and illustrates how the concept adapts to different national contexts. Additionally, the book has a well-organized structure, making it easy for readers to follow. The authors present the analytical framework and methodology used to understand and compare MOCs across countries. This provides a systematic understanding of the topic and allows the reader to follow developments well. Each chapter in this book has its own advantages. For example, in Chapter 2, readers are invited to explore the classification of MOCs in Canada and identify important trends in their use. Chapter 3 provides a comparative analysis of England and Wales, highlighting significant differences in the approaches to corporatization in the two countries. Chapter 4 discusses the role of MOCs in local economic development and inter-regional government cooperation. Chapter 5 discusses the operational autonomy of MOCs and the role of the supervisory board. Chapter 6 provides a comprehensive presentation of the use of locally owned enterprises (MOCs) in the provision of public services in Poland. It includes information on the various legal forms of MOCs, legal frameworks, autonomy, management structures, ownership, and the role of MOCs in inter-regional government cooperation. Chapter 7 discusses in detail how MOCs and private legal companies owned by local governments can become important political issues in the context of elections. This chapter also provides concrete examples of good practices related to the selection of executive board members and CEOs of MOCs. The strength of this chapter is its emphasis on the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of MOCs. Chapter 8 discusses the explicit constitutional provisions in Austria that allow the establishment and operation of MOCs for the provision of public services. This provides a strong legal basis for the existence and function of MOCs in the local government context. This chapter also highlights the flexibility that MOCs provide to local governments in setting rates and prices of public services. Chapter 9 highlights the increase in the number of MOCs in Germany over the last 10 years and their relevance for achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The data presented show that MOCs have a key role in supporting SDGs at the local level. Chapter 10 discusses the economic and social impacts of corporatization of local government. One of the interesting things about corporatization is its impact on local economies and communities. This chapter provides in-depth insight into economic impacts, including economic growth, job creation, and investment at the local level. In addition, social impacts such as better access to social services are also discussed. This chapter helps readers understand how MOCs can become agents of positive economic and social change in their communities. Chapter 11 looks at the role of innovation in the operations of MOCs. Innovation is the key to remaining relevant and efficient, especially in this ever-changing era. This book explains how MOCs can promote innovation in their service delivery and operations. This involves a variety of approaches, such as partnerships with the private sector, the use of new technologies, and innovative management strategies. This chapter highlights how MOCs can adopt best practices to ensure that they remain effective and efficient. Chapter 12 delves deeper into the relationship between MOCs and provincial governments. This relationship is important because provincial governments often have great influence over MOCs, especially in terms of regulations and legal requirements. This chapter illustrates how these relationships can be dynamic and complex, with ever-changing conflicts and collaborations between MOCs and provincial governments. This provides insight into how MOCs should navigate interactions with higher levels of government. Chapter 13 explains the impact of political change and elections on MOCs. Local politics and elections can have a significant impact on the operations and policies of MOCs. This chapter provides an understanding of how MOCs must deal with changes in leadership and policy that may occur every few years. It also discusses how political influence can influence the decision-making and operational stability of MOCs. Chapter 14 examines specific issues related to the corporatization of water and sanitation services. Water and sanitation are fundamental services that are critical to society. This chapter explores how MOCs can play an important role in the provision of safe and affordable water and sanitation services. It also addresses challenges unique to the operation of these services, such as the need for long-term investments in infrastructure and water resource management. Chapter 15 discusses the impact of globalization on MOCs. Globalization is a phenomenon that affects various aspects of society, including local governments. This chapter explains how MOCs must adapt to changes in the global economy, international trade, and global environmental challenges. It also discusses opportunities that may arise in the context of globalization. Chapter 16 discusses challenges and opportunities in the use of information and communications technology (ICT) by MOCs. ICT has changed the way we work and communicate, and MOCs are no exception. This chapter explains how MOCs can utilize ICT to improve services to citizens and increase their operational efficiency. It also addresses issues such as cyber security and ICT accessibility for all levels of society. Chapter 17 discusses MOCs' relationship with the private sector. Partnerships between the public and private sectors can have great potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery. This chapter explains how MOCs can navigate these partnerships in a way that benefits all parties. It also discusses the challenges and risks associated with this kind of partnership. Chapter 18 explains the role of MOCs in sustainable development. The environment and sustainability are major concerns in local government today. This chapter provides insight into how MOCs can play a role in protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development in their communities. This includes various environmental initiatives that MOCs can adopt. Chapter 19, which is the final chapter of the book, summarizes the findings and presents an outlook on the future of local government corporatization. This chapter allows readers to look back on the journey taken in this book and reflect on the impact of the corporatization of local government in recent decades. It also provides insight into how corporatization may develop and change in the future. Each chapter provides in-depth and relevant insight into the topics covered. This book also gets additional points because it is supported by relevant data and statistics. These data provide an empirical basis to support the analysis and findings presented in the book. One important caveat, however, is that this book may be too detailed for readers seeking a more general introduction to this topic. For readers who already have a basic understanding of the corporatization of local government, this book will be invaluable, but for those seeking an initial introduction, it may be worth evaluating their involvement. This book not only provides an overview of local government corporatization practices, but also highlights important issues such as accountability, transparency, and policy implications. The final chapters outline how MOCs can become an important political issue in the context of elections and provide examples of good practice in managing them. In a research context, this book provides a strong basis for further studies on the corporatization of local government. For researchers who wish to explore this topic further, this book will be a very useful reference source. This book is also relevant in a practical context, especially for those working in local government or organizations involved in public services. It provides an in-depth look at how local governments can use MOCs as a tool to improve their efficiency and effectiveness in providing services to citizens. In addition, this book has important implications in a theoretical context. This prompts questions about how we understand the role of government in modern society. The concept of corporatization inspires readers to question what it means to be a government and how government can adapt to changes in the public service environment. Overall, “Corporatisation in Local Government: An Introduction” is an important and valuable resource for anyone interested in understanding how local government meets modern challenges in the provision of public services. This book not only provides a deep understanding of this topic, but also stimulates critical thinking about the role and evolution of government in contemporary society. This article is sponsored by the Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan (LPDP), The Ministry of Finance of the Republic of Indonesia. Fransiskus Wuniyu is a member of the Faculty of Social Science at Airlangga University in Surabaya, Indonesia. Email: [email protected] Adrianus Aprilius is affiliated with the Faculty of Economics and Business at Airlangga University in Surabaya, Indonesia. Email: [email protected] Albertus Yosep Maturan is part of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at Hasanuddin University in Makassar, Indonesia. Email: [email protected]