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Is public official training effective at reducing costs? Evidence from survey data on Japanese municipal mergers

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  • Hirota, Haruaki
  • Iwata, Kazuyuki
  • Tanaka, Kenta

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to identify the fiscal effects of public official training after municipal mergers. We apply propensity score matching with the difference-in-differences method by using survey data on municipal mergers in Japan. Additionally, we investigate which types of public official training affect municipal expenditures. We focus on training for specific departments. Our main contribution is the finding that while the municipalities that implement public official training after mergers decrease personnel expenses for a few years although it does not affect total expenditure. In addition, training for specific departments decreases personnel expenses in the short term. Thus, training for specific departments is slightly effective.

Suggested Citation

  • Hirota, Haruaki & Iwata, Kazuyuki & Tanaka, Kenta, 2022. "Is public official training effective at reducing costs? Evidence from survey data on Japanese municipal mergers," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 75(C), pages 145-158.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecanpo:v:75:y:2022:i:c:p:145-158
    DOI: 10.1016/j.eap.2022.05.006
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Public official training; Municipal mergers; Municipal survey data;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • H72 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Budget and Expenditures
    • H73 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Interjurisdictional Differentials and Their Effects
    • H74 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Borrowing
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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