Public Enterprise In An Era Of Change

On 6 December 1996, the public consultation committee Talking About Saskatchewan Crowns (TASC) and the University of Regina held a one-day conference to examine the historic role of Saskatchewan Crown corporations and the future of public enterprise in a new world economy. The conference brought together renowned academic, business, and labour leaders, all contributing their input to a major review of Saskatchewan Crowns. The conference was divided into four sections: "Public Enterprise Developments: An International Perspective"; "Changing Attitudes and Expectations Regarding Public Ownership and Investment"; "Public Enterprise: In Whose Interest?"; and "Government Control: Ownership, Regulation, or Market Pressure?" The papers from the conference are included in this publication.

Many governments across the world have responded to the need for greater efficiency in the delivery of government services by the reorganization of these bureaucracies along the lines of for-profit business corporations. In doing so, governments have relied on the capacity for governance practices to overcome the weaker incentives created by the attenuated 'property rights' that are created in public enterprise.

From the optimism associated with provincial status in 1905, through the trials of Depression and war, the boom times of the post-war period, and the economic vagaries of the 1980s and 1990s, the twentieth century was a time of growth and hardship, development, challenge and change, for Saskatchewan and its people. And during the century, twelve men, from a variety of political parties and from very different backgrounds, led the government of this province. The names of some--like T.C. Douglas and Roy Romanow--are still household names, while others--like Charles Dunning and WIlliam Patterson--have been all but forgotten. Yet each in his unique way, for better or for worse, helped to mould and steer the destiny of the province he governed. These are their stories.

This book presents a number of cases - both in centrally planned and market economy systems - where the culture and practice of entrepreneurship were successfully introduced into the structure and activities of public enterprises. The book shows how sponsorship can help promote both public and private economic initiaitives by either turning the public enterprise into an entrepreneurial and intrapreneurial organization, or by helping small private business in the start-up stage.

A number of public enterprise (PE) executives have long felt the need for a book which would provide necessary information and analysis of various dimensions of PE management and privatisation. The book provides at one place, a precise and authoritative account of the concept, policy, and analysis of major issues confronting PEs. Public ownership per se does not make PE performance sub-optimal. The operation of the Government system, of which PE is a sub-system, has not been conducive to performance. During the last six decades, inadequate political will and vested interests have come in the way of freeing PEs from excessive and throttling controls, and demoralising accountability. Not letting the managers manage with the freedom required in the liberalised and globalised set-up is the problem. The multifarious and complex managerial problems of PEs, which get compounded by faltering moves towards privatisation, cannot be wished away. These have been considered in the book at some length. The book, first published in 1980, continues to be a standard work on the subject. This latest edition has been revised by Dr. R.K.Mishra, Director, Institute of Public Enterprise,Hyderabad.

Examines the changes that occurred in the Egyptian labor market over a ten-year period

America's political party system is dying, Mack says, and it is being replaced by major interest groups that are using their vast grassroots networks and financial resources to take over the parties' traditional functions. These interests include advocacy organizations for labor, the environment, minorities, and other causes often competitive with business interests. Mack lays out specific actions business organizations need to undertake if they are to compete in the politics and lobbying of the future. He analyzes the factors that will change American society and the business-government relationship over the next quarter-century, and that are bringing about the demise of political parties. Campaign finanace restrictions are only one of these factors, he says, but they may be the final blow to the parties' last remaining asset, their ability to raise large amounts of money. To affect the outcomes of future elections and legislative issues, corporations and business associations must go beyond merely financing political campaigns. They need to become more deeply involved in grassroots politics and to be more effective in influencing public opinion on issues and candidates. The most important of the specific steps the book recommends is innovative expansion of issue advertising programs to affect voter opinion on issues profoundly affecting business that will be on legislative agendas for decades-among them, international trade, immigration, social security, national savings, and campaign finance. Mack explains the law and practicalities of political activity. He also shows how issues advocacy works to affect current legislation, political campaigns, and long-term issues. He includes model ads and cases to show how various political and legislative tools can be applied. The book concludes with an analysis of the consequences of the tumultuous 2000 elections for tomorrow's politics and issues. Mack's book will be useful and important reading for government relations, public affairs, and association executives, and for public policy professionals in the academic community concerned about the future of American politics and its impacts on business and the legislative process.