Abstract:
The purpose of this article is to explore the effectiveness of contracting/outsourcing
as an alternative way of improving the quality of public service delivery in the Czech
Republic and Slovakia. The findings from the research have been used to establish
the trends of contracting/outsourcing when applied in the Czech Republic, Slovakia
and even in other countries. Contracting/outsourcing has been considered to be
the solution for poor public service delivery. In cases where governments have
been struggling to achieve their mandate of efficient, cost-effective and timeous
provision of public goods and services, contracting/outsourcing has been viewed as
the most viable alternative. The private sector has been called upon to fill the gap
regardless of the fact that they are profit oriented. Thus this article examines the
effectiveness of contracting/outsourcing. The findings of the research reveal that
contracting/outsourcing remains problematic unless the issue of accountability is
reinforced so that it becomes not only real but also binding. Intervention strategies
should focus on both processes and results if contracting/outsourcing is to play a
positive role in public service delivery.
