Re-politicisation as post-NPM response? Municipal companies in a Norwegian context. Issue 4 (4th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Moldenæs, Turid; Torsteinsen, Harald
• Is Part Of: Local government studies. Volume 43:Issue 4(2017)
• Page Start: 512
• Page End: 532
• Publication Date: 2017-07-04
• Subjects: Agentification -- corporatisation -- re-politicisation -- re-municipalisation -- post-NPM -- municipal companies; Local government -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Local government -- Periodicals; 352.042
• DOI: 10.1080/03003930.2017.1305954
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0300-3930

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This is an exploratory study of re-politicisation of municipal companies in one Norwegian municipality. Unlike re-municipalisation, which seems to imply the reversal of privatisation and out-contracting, and the reinstitution of municipal ownership, the Norwegian case demonstrates a continued adherence to the provision of certain public services through municipal companies. However, our study reveals increasing re-politicisation, especially with respect to board composition. The mechanisms behind this process seem first and foremost to be a post-new public management (NPM) response (re-centring) combined with efforts of rebalancing NPM-inspired solutions without changing them in any fundamental way (learning from experience).