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Internal and External Transparency in Public-Private Partnerships—The Case of Barcelona’s Water Provision

Author

Listed:
  • Monica Reig

    (ESADE Business & Law School, Ramon Llull University, 08034 Barcelona, Spain)

  • Mila Gasco-Hernandez

    (Department of Public Administration and Policy, University at Albany—SUNY, New York, NY 12222, USA)

  • Marc Esteve

    (ESADE Business & Law School, Ramon Llull University, 08034 Barcelona, Spain
    Department of Political Science, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK)

Abstract

Despite the efforts devoted to open government, transparency is mainly considered an issue for public organizations. However, various tasks such as public services delivery and management are being increasingly privatized or outsourced to public-private partnerships (PPPs). Our study aims to contribute towards bridging this gap by answering two research questions: (1) What determines internal and external transparency in PPPs? and (2) To what extent does internal transparency contribute to external transparency? We answer these questions through a qualitative case study, consisting of 38 in-depth interviews, on the transparency in water provision and management in the city of Barcelona. We conclude that in the case of PPPs, even when the service provided is excellent, transparency goes beyond making data available; thus, politicians and managers must build a narrative around the data they provide that guides citizens and partners in their interpretation of the information. Furthermore, our results show that internal transparency influences external transparency.

Suggested Citation

  • Monica Reig & Mila Gasco-Hernandez & Marc Esteve, 2021. "Internal and External Transparency in Public-Private Partnerships—The Case of Barcelona’s Water Provision," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:4:p:1777-:d:494916
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Rianne Warsen & José Nederhand & Erik Hans Klijn & Sanne Grotenbreg & Joop Koppenjan, 2018. "What makes public-private partnerships work? Survey research into the outcomes and the quality of cooperation in PPPs," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 20(8), pages 1165-1185, August.
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    4. Shaoul, Jean & Stafford, Anne & Stapleton, Pamela, 2012. "Accountability and corporate governance of public private partnerships," CRITICAL PERSPECTIVES ON ACCOUNTING, Elsevier, vol. 23(3), pages 213-229.
    5. Angel Saz-Carranza & Albert Serra, 2009. "Institutional Sources of Distrust in Government Contracting," Public Management Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 11(3), pages 263-279, May.
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