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This paper discusses a theoretical framework to study the issues of competition and incentives without relying on the standard profit-oriented market model in the context of the debates about public service reform in the UK. It uses the idea that the production of public services coheres around a mission, and discusses how decentralized service provision can raise productivity by matching motivated workers to their preferred missions. Our focus on competition and incentives cuts across traditional debates about public versus private ownership and allows for the possibility of involving private non-profits. We also address concerns about the consequences of allowing more flexibility in mission design and competition on inequality.
Authors
Research Associate London School of Economics
Timothy is a Research Associate at the IFS and a Professor of Economics and Political Science at the London School of Economics and Political Science.
Maitreesh Ghatak (only on Friday's pm)
Working Paper details
- DOI
- 10.1920/wp.ifs.2003.0308
- Publisher
- IFS
Suggested citation
Besley, T and Ghatak (only on Friday's pm), M. (2003). Incentives, choice and accountability in the provision of public services. London: IFS. Available at: https://ifs.org.uk/publications/incentives-choice-and-accountability-provision-public-services (accessed: 4 July 2024).
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