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Lessons from Two Public Sector Reforms in Italy

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  • Nazim Belhocine
  • La-Bhus Fah Jirasavetakul

Abstract

The reform of the Italian public administration has been a priority for at least two decades, with several major initiatives undertaken toward modernization and simplification. Notwithstanding laudable intentions, however, progress remains limited. This analysis is a case study of two reforms since 2016—on the rationalization of state-owned enterprises and of public procurement. It finds that original reform provisions were weakened or overturned, regulatory complexity and uncertainties in the application of the reforms blunted their impact, and enforcement mechanisms were inadequate. Addressing these gaps will be essential for successfully modernizing Italy’s public administration.

Suggested Citation

  • Nazim Belhocine & La-Bhus Fah Jirasavetakul, 2020. "Lessons from Two Public Sector Reforms in Italy," IMF Working Papers 2020/040, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2020/040
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    Cited by:

    1. D’Andrea, Sara & D’Andrea, Silvia & Di Bartolomeo, Giovanni & D’Imperio, Paolo & Infantino, Giancarlo & Meacci, Mara, 2024. "The macroeconomic impact of structural reforms: The case of Italy," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 46(5), pages 946-963.
    2. Andrea ZATTI, 2021. "The case of Italy," CIRIEC Studies Series, in: Andrea ZATTI & CIRIEC (ed.), Accountability, anti-corruption, and transparency policies in Public-Owned Enterprises (POEs), volume 2, chapter 0, pages 43-60, CIRIEC - Université de Liège.
    3. Andrea Zatti, 2022. "Accountability, anti-corruption, and transparency policies in Public owned enterprises (POEs): The case of Italy," ECONOMIA PUBBLICA, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2022(1), pages 43-78.
    4. Andrea ZATTI, 2021. "Introduction," CIRIEC Studies Series, in: Andrea ZATTI & CIRIEC (ed.), Accountability, anti-corruption, and transparency policies in Public-Owned Enterprises (POEs), volume 2, chapter 0, pages 9-19, CIRIEC - Université de Liège.
    5. Sauro Mocetti & Giacomo Roma, 2020. "From 8,000 to 1,000? Rationalization and governance of Italian Government-owned enterprises," Questioni di Economia e Finanza (Occasional Papers) 570, Bank of Italy, Economic Research and International Relations Area.

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