Public policy transfer: the case of PFI in housing. (20th September 2005)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Hodges, Ron; Grubnic, Suzana
• Is Part Of: International journal of public policy. Volume 1:Number 1/2(2005)
• Page Start: 58
• Page End: 77
• Publication Date: 2005-09-20
• Subjects: private finance initiative -- PFI -- public policy transfer -- social housing -- public-private partnerships -- cross-sector collaboration -- new public management; Political planning -- Periodicals; Public administration -- Periodicals; 351.05
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1740-0600

Abstract

This paper reviews the promotion of the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) in the social housing sector in England to illustrate that public policy transfer to new sectors of the public services may be problematic. The first 'PFI pathfinder' schemes in housing were initiated in 1999, but most of these schemes were still under procurement in 2004. Interviews with local authority PFI project managers are used to identify some of the causes of delay in the completion of these schemes and PFI literature from other sectors is used to examine the transferability issues. The transferability of public policy is shown to be influenced by sector-specific factors and also by the structural features of PFI procurement.