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The quality of public services in Italy

Author Info

Listed author(s):
  • Amanda Carmignani

    ()

    (Banca d'Italia)

  • Francesco Bripi

    ()

    (Banca d'Italia)

  • Raffaela Giordano

    ()

    (Banca d'Italia)

Abstract

This paper provides a survey of a number of studies conducted in recent years, above all at the Bank of Italy, aiming at assessing the quality and the efficiency of public services in Italy. We consider services provided by the central government (education and civil justice), regional governments (health) and municipalities (local public transportation, waste disposal, water and gas supply, and childcare). The analysis shows in general that Italy lags behind noticeably compared with other countries and there are large regional differences in terms of both quality and efficiency, regardless of the level of government providing the service. The lags seem to be attributable, depending on the case, to agents� incentives, citizens� behaviour and the regulation. Furthermore, the analysis emphasizes the need for more information to enhance our understanding of the problems and improve the effectiveness of action taken to counter them.

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File URL: http://www.bancaditalia.it/pubblicazioni/qef/2011-0084/QEF_84.pdf
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Paper provided by Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area in its series Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) with number 84.

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Date of creation: Jan 2011
Handle: RePEc:bdi:opques:qef_84_11
Contact details of provider: Postal:
Via Nazionale, 91 - 00184 Roma

Web page: http://www.bancaditalia.it

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Keywords: public services; efficiency; decentralization;

Find related papers by JEL classification:

  • H50 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - General
  • H75 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - State and Local Government: Health, Education, and Welfare
  • H76 - Public Economics - - State and Local Government; Intergovernmental Relations - - - Other Expenditure Categories

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