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Efficient Public Provision of Commodities: Transaction Costs, Bounded Rationality and Other Considerations

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  • Tisdell, Clement A.

Abstract

After briefly reviewing recent economic theories about the economic welfare consequences of public provision of private commodities, this article examines the cost efficient supply of publicly provided commodities. In the light of the presence of transaction costs and bounded rationality, and consequences for the competence of public bodies, it considers whether the following are cost effective: (1) increased out-sourcing of government funded work and supplies using market and competitive mechanisms; (2) greater contestability of employment in the public sector; (3) more widespread imposition of user charges for publicly supplied commodities; and (4) the increased use of performance budgeting and accounting in the public sector. These measures are often favoured by proponents of structural adjustment policies as means to increase the economic efficiency of the public sector. However, it is argued here that such measures can potentially reduce the economic efficiency of the public sector rather than increase it.

Suggested Citation

  • Tisdell, Clement A., 2003. "Efficient Public Provision of Commodities: Transaction Costs, Bounded Rationality and Other Considerations," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90529, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:uqseet:90529
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.90529
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Svizzero, Serge & Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Concepts of Competition in Theory and Practice," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90469, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    2. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Sustainability: Can it be Achieved? Is Economics the Bottom Line?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90512, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    3. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "The Political Economy of Globalisation: Processes involving the Role of Markets, Institutions and Governance," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90507, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    4. Clement Allan Tisdell & Serge Svizzero, 2001. "Globalization, Social Welfare, Labor Markets and Fiscal Competition," Working Papers hal-02164344, HAL.
    5. Alessandro BALESTRINO, 1995. "Public Provision of Private Goods and User Charges," Discussion Papers (REL - Recherches Economiques de Louvain) 1995043, Université catholique de Louvain, Institut de Recherches Economiques et Sociales (IRES).
    6. Tisdell, Clement A. & Alauddin, Mohammad, 2002. "Market-Oriented Reforms in Bangladesh and their Impact on Poverty?," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90521, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    7. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Globalisation, the Environment and Sustainability: EKC, Neo-Malthusian Concerns and the WTO," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90502, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    8. Tisdell, Clem & Seidl, Irmi, 2004. "Niches and economic competition: implications for economic efficiency, growth and diversity," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 119-135, June.
    9. Tisdell, Clement A. & Svizzero, Serge, 2003. "Globalization, Social Welfare and Labor Market Inequalities," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90525, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    10. Darrian Collins & Clem Tisdell, 2004. "Outbound Business Travel Depends on Business Returns: Australian Evidence," Australian Economic Papers, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(2), pages 192-207, June.
    11. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Externalities, Thresholds and the Marketing of New Aquacultural Products: Theory and Examples," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90468, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    12. Serge Svizzero & Clem Tisdell, 2002. "Reconciling globalisation and technological change: Growing income inequalities and remedial policies," Intereconomics: Review of European Economic Policy, Springer;ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics;Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS), vol. 37(3), pages 162-171, May.
    13. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Economics and Tourism Development: Structural Features of Tourism and Economic Influences on its Vulnerability," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90522, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    14. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "The WTO, Labour and Environmental Standards: Globalisation with Reference to India," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90518, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    15. Tisdell, Clement A., 2002. "Tourism as a Contributor to the Economic Diversification and Development of Small States: Its Strengths, Weaknesses and Potential for Brunei," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90514, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
    16. Tisdell, Clement A., 2001. "Competition and Evolution in Economics and Ecology Compared," Economic Theory, Applications and Issues Working Papers 90506, University of Queensland, School of Economics.
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