Entrepreneurship and the Privatizing of Government

(Hardback)

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The chapters in this anthology combine discussion of two currently `hot' topics in public administration--privatization and entrepreneurship. . . . Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this book is that it is not merely an unbridled emotional paean to privatization and entrepreneurship but an objective introduction to these issues. The editor selects an array of essays that address not only theory and practice but also the pragmatic issues and problems associated with implementing these new policy initiatives. This book would be a welcome addition to libraries wishing to remain current with the expanding literature on privatization and entrepreneurship. Choice Privatization encompasses the many ways in which the private sector assumes functions that were previously the province of government. These may range from the sale of state enterprises to contracts with private firms to provide governmental services. In each case, services which were once subsidized to some extent by the government are instead offered by the private sector at prices reflecting their actual cost. This collection of original essays by internationally recognized scholars in economics, government, and management, provides a readable, state of the art discussion of the promises and problems of privatization. In addition to synthesizing current data and experiences in the field of private entrepreneurship, this collection of articles breaks new ground by suggesting innovative areas for private activity in the public sector.

Reviews

The book, Entrepreneurship and the Privatizing of Government, edited by Calvin A. Kent, provides an interesting and stimulating collection of papers in theoretical and practical aspects of privatization. . . . My overall impression of this book is that it is an interesting and quite stimulating piece of work. The more theoretically oriented contributions are especially well-written, and the advantages and disadvantages of privatizing government activities, for the most part, are fairly handled. . . .-Small Business Economics
The chapters in this anthology combine discussion of two currently hot' topics in public administration--privatization and entrepreneurship. These issues are examined in 13 essays, organized into 3 major sections--the Theory of Privatization: Domestic Issues; and Privatization: International Issues. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this book is that it is not merely an unbridled, emotional paean to privatization and entrepreneurship but an objective introduction to these issues. The editor selects an array of essays that address not only theory and practice but also the pragmatic issues and problems associated with implementing these new policy initiatives. This book would be a welcomed addition to libraries wishing to remain current with the expanding literature of privatization and entrepreneurship. Public, academic, and professional readership.-Choice
This book is a collection of essays on the theory and practice of privatization of government services. Here, privatization ranges from denationalizing countrywide services to contracting out for the provision of urban services. It does provide us with a basic foundation for developing new theories on the structure of the public-private interface, the incentives prevailing within organizations, and the nature of the entrepreneurial spirit. With privatization accelerating, debate on these issues will likely intensify. This book gives administrative scientists the factual grounding from which they can launch the studies necessary to participate in this inquiry.-ASQ
"The book, Entrepreneurship and the Privatizing of Government, edited by Calvin A. Kent, provides an interesting and stimulating collection of papers in theoretical and practical aspects of privatization. . . . My overall impression of this book is that it is an interesting and quite stimulating piece of work. The more theoretically oriented contributions are especially well-written, and the advantages and disadvantages of privatizing government activities, for the most part, are fairly handled. . . ."-Small Business Economics
"This book is a collection of essays on the theory and practice of privatization of government services. Here, privatization ranges from denationalizing countrywide services to contracting out for the provision of urban services. It does provide us with a basic foundation for developing new theories on the structure of the public-private interface, the incentives prevailing within organizations, and the nature of the entrepreneurial spirit. With privatization accelerating, debate on these issues will likely intensify. This book gives administrative scientists the factual grounding from which they can launch the studies necessary to participate in this inquiry."-ASQ
"The chapters in this anthology combine discussion of two currently hot' topics in public administration--privatization and entrepreneurship. These issues are examined in 13 essays, organized into 3 major sections--the Theory of Privatization: Domestic Issues; and Privatization: International Issues. Perhaps the most attractive aspect of this book is that it is not merely an unbridled, emotional paean to privatization and entrepreneurship but an objective introduction to these issues. The editor selects an array of essays that address not only theory and practice but also the pragmatic issues and problems associated with implementing these new policy initiatives. This book would be a welcomed addition to libraries wishing to remain current with the expanding literature of privatization and entrepreneurship. Public, academic, and professional readership."-Choice

Author Bio

CALVIN A. KENT is Herman W. Lay Professor of Private Enterprise at Baylor University and Director of the Center for Private Enterprise and the National Center for Entrepreneurship in Economic Education. He is the author of several books and over 100 journal articles and has lectured widely on entrepreneurship both in the United States and abroad.