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Intermunicipal cooperation in public procurement

Author

Listed:
  • Giampaolo Arachi
  • Debora Assisi
  • Berardino Cesi
  • Michele G. Giuranno
  • Felice Russo

Abstract

This study evaluates the impact of intermunicipal cooperation on public procurement (PP) performance, based on the Italian experience. We use both a fixed-effects regression model and alternative matching estimators to analyse a sample of 50,905 Italian public works contracts awarded by municipalities and municipal unions (MUs) between 2012 and 2020. Our results indicate that while local centralisation does not necessarily lead to significant cost savings in the procurement phase, MUs outperform individual municipalities in the execution phase, especially in terms of reducing delivery delays. We conclude that while MUs do not necessarily lead to strong economies of scale, they do improve efficiency during contract execution. This highlights the alternative benefits of PP centralisation beyond cost savings.

Suggested Citation

  • Giampaolo Arachi & Debora Assisi & Berardino Cesi & Michele G. Giuranno & Felice Russo, 2024. "Intermunicipal cooperation in public procurement," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(11), pages 2055-2073, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:taf:regstd:v:58:y:2024:i:11:p:2055-2073
    DOI: 10.1080/00343404.2024.2350615
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    Cited by:

    1. Germà Bel & Joël Bühler & Esther Pano, 2024. "Community-based outcomes of interlocal cooperation in social services," IREA Working Papers 202418, University of Barcelona, Research Institute of Applied Economics, revised Dec 2024.
    2. Thomas Elston & Germà Bel & Han Wang, 2025. "The effect of inter‐municipal cooperation on social assistance programs: Evidence from housing allowances in England," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 44(3), pages 1060-1088, June.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • C13 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Econometric and Statistical Methods and Methodology: General - - - Estimation: General
    • H57 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Procurement
    • H77 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Intergovernmental Relations; Federalism

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