Alternative delivery systems for public services in Hong Kong: The Hospital Authority vs The Housing Authority

Authors

Pok Man, Peter Yuen, Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, Vocational Training Council
Carlos W.H. Lo

Staff Page Link

Prof YUEN Pok Man, Peter

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

2000

DOI

10.1080/12294659.2000.10804956

Abstract

This article assesses the performance of two public corporations in Hong Kong: the Hospital Authority and the Housing Authority. The context and institutional arrangements of the two public bodies are reviewed, and their performance are assessed in terms of cost, efficiency, quality and equity. The findings suggest that the arrangement whereby a government department provides executive support to a corporate body is ineffective and problematic. This study also reveals that corporatization without competition has, at best brought about some improvement in quality in areas where they are easily noticeable or measurable. While no equity principles have been compromised under corporatization, these corporatized entities do not appear to have succeeded in lowering costs or achieving greater efficiency.

Source Publication

International Review of Public Administration

Volume Number

5

Issue Number

2

First Page

55

Last Page

66

Recommended Citation

Yuen, P.,& Lo, C. (2000). Alternative delivery systems for public services in Hong Kong: The Hospital Authority vs The Housing Authority. International Review of Public Administration, 5 (2), 55-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/12294659.2000.10804956