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The comparative advantage of the public sector in the development of urban water supply

Author

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  • Emanuele Lobina

    (Emanuele Lobina is a PSIRU, Business School, University of Greenwich Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London SE10 9LS, UK)

  • David Hall

    (David Hall is at PSIRU, Business School, University of Greenwich Old Royal Naval College, Park Row, London SE10 9LS, UK)

Abstract

This paper addresses the potential of public water operations in achieving developmental goals such as the Millennium Development Goals, and argues that the public sector has a comparative advantage in developing water services. The global importance of the public sector in urban water supply is examined through a review of current practice in the world's largest cities, including operational presence and distribution and ongoing trends. Empirical evidence shows that, in transition and developing countries, public operators are capable of undergoing successful reform. One explanatory factor is proposed to be the creation through the public sphere of highly interconnected networks among stakeholders. Such accountability networks act as vehicles for the generation and distribution of public knowledge among stakeholders, which in turn inform rational decision making on the reform and management of operations.

Suggested Citation

  • Emanuele Lobina & David Hall, 2008. "The comparative advantage of the public sector in the development of urban water supply," Progress in Development Studies, , vol. 8(1), pages 85-101, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:prodev:v:8:y:2008:i:1:p:85-101
    DOI: 10.1177/146499340700800108
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Antonelli, Cristiano, 2005. "Models of knowledge and systems of governance," Journal of Institutional Economics, Cambridge University Press, vol. 1(1), pages 51-73, June.
    2. Estache, Antonio & Perelman, Sergio & Trujillo, Lourdes, 2005. "Infrastructure performance and reform in developing and transition economies: evidence from a survey of productivity measures," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3514, The World Bank.
    3. John Briscoe & Harvey A Garn, 1995. "Financing water supply and sanitation under Agenda 21," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 19(1), pages 59-70, February.
    4. Davis, Jennifer, 2004. "Corruption in Public Service Delivery: Experience from South Asia's Water and Sanitation Sector," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 32(1), pages 53-71, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ananya Reed & Darryl Reed, 2009. "Partnerships for Development: Four Models of Business Involvement," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 90(1), pages 3-37, May.
    2. Rivas, Marcela González & Schroering, Caitlin, 2021. "Pittsburgh's translocal social movement: A case of the new public water," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    3. Hall, David & Lobina, Emanuele, 2007. "International actors and multinational water company strategies in Europe, 1990-2003," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 64-77, June.

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