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Meso-institutions: The variety of regulatory arrangements in the water sector

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  • Claude Ménard

    (CES - Centre d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UP1 UFR02 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - École d'économie de la Sorbonne - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, NUS - National University of Singapore)

Abstract

There are many different ways to regulate water utilities. By focusing almost exclusively on regulatory agencies, the literature has missed important alternatives regarding the mechanisms through which the general rules of the game, defined at the macro-institutional level, interact with operators organizing transactions at the micro-level. Building on recent developments in organization theory and on the distinction between property rights and decision rights, this paper explores the variety of arrangements, identified as ‘meso-institutions,' providing these links. The analysis is substantiated through a comparative approach to the drinkable water systems in France, England and Whales, and the Netherlands.

Suggested Citation

  • Claude Ménard, 2017. "Meso-institutions: The variety of regulatory arrangements in the water sector," Université Paris1 Panthéon-Sorbonne (Post-Print and Working Papers) hal-04011777, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:cesptp:hal-04011777
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jup.2017.05.001
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