Serving many masters: public accountability in private policy implementation

Thomann, Eva; Hupe, Peter; Sager, Fritz (2017). Serving many masters: public accountability in private policy implementation. Governance, 31(2), pp. 299-319. Blackwell 10.1111/gove.12297

Text Thomann, Hupe & Sager_ Serving many masters. Public accountability in private policy implementation.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (1MB)

In recent decades, the introduction of market principles has
transformed public service delivery into a hybrid. However,
little is known about how these changes are reflected in the
attitudes of private implementing agents: The hybridization
literature neglects individuals, and street-level bureaucracy
research has disregarded hybridization. This article extends
Hupe and Hill’s (2007) accountability regimes framework to
introduce the market as an additional accountability regime
alongside state, profession, and society. Using a configura-
tional approach, the article explores how public and private
food safety inspectors in Switzerland perceive the multiple
norms for behavior stemming from their environment.
Results suggest that the plural accountabilities of for-profit
street-level bureaucrats can increase the dilemmas involved
in their work. Under certain circumstances, for-profit street-
level bureaucrats have particular difficulties reconciling rule
pressure with market incentives and client demands. The
extended accountability regimes framework fruitfully cap-
tures such dilemmas and helps identify suitable governance
responses.

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