Inter-municipal Co-operation: the Managerial Perspective of Local Authorities

The paper aims at contributing to the body of knowledge referred to Public Administrations co-operation. In particular, the research is focused on Local Public Administration (LPA), intensely influenced by the global economic crisis. The study regards to how LPAs could reach more efficiency and effectiveness in providing services to its final users (citizen, companies and other PAs), as well as provide new services, especially on the cooperation among LPAs, called inter- LPA cooperation (ILPAC). Having analysed LPA paradigm, it has been possible to isolate some relevant trends characterizing LPA and some open scientific literature gaps about ILPAC: nowadays, in ILPAC phenomenon, some weak points can be highlighted, especially in start-up and in management phases. Consequently, in collaboration with the eGovernment Observatory of the Milan University of Technology, the research has inquired the reasons that lead to activate an ILPAC and develop a decision making framework for the governance of shared functions in the LPA. Particularly, it has focused on the identification of LPA environmental reasons and LPA proper characteristics pushing LPA to activate an ILPAC of its fundamental functions. Once identified these elements, it has tried to identify the organizational and managerial configurations adopted for ILPAC to manage shared functions. The study has implied the use of several instruments in order to investigate ILPAC phases, from their founding to ordinary management in the Italian context. Results have been analysed using statistical methods, in order to come to light some peculiarities already pointed out by the descriptive examination. In addition, linear regression has been set in order to inquire into ILPAC performances, compared to autonomous municipalities. Using this methodology, the analysis has pointed out some important suggestions pertaining to ILPAC management. Primary considerations has shown the effect of regional different governances that impact on the amount and the dimension of ILPACs in their territories. Secondly, associated municipalities obtain better performances than independent bodies, for instance, considering the One-Stop-Shop proceedings. In addition, linear regression has proven that ILPACs produce benefits in a wider context: the analysis has pointed out some important suggestions pertaining to ILPAC management, as organizational performances increase when the number of associated municipalities increase or both proceeding costs and time improve when large ILPACs formalize and clearly declare their objectives.