Cooperative service delivery: the dynamics of public sector-private sector-civil society collaboration

Cooperative service delivery - the utilization by the public sector of civil society and/or the private sector for the delivery of public goods and services - is a growing phenomenon. In this article, the author examines three important aspects of these emerging relationships. These include the reason for this growing phenomenon; the forms which these relationships take; and the structural arrangements necessary to ensure the effectiveness of such efforts. It is noted that while philosophical and managerial beliefs are frequently cited reasons for such developments, political factors are equally important The various approaches which government takes in the delivering of public goods and services are reviewed and it is seen that all of them lend themselves to cooperative initiatives. A number of necessary preconditions for effective cooperative service delivery are specified.