Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book focuses on existing knowledge of privatization activities within the context of a formal performance framework. It presents the concepts and beliefs underpinning privatization. A series of reforms have flowed through the business sector and through government. The importance of reviewing the performance of privatization does not simply stem from its high profile and frequent appearance in the daily press. The book deals with the theoretical foundations supporting privatization. It establishes a broad evaluation framework upon which to build assessment of privatization performance. The book looks at the collection of empirical findings, viewing privatization as the sale of enterprises. The policy implications of these research findings are discussed for both privatizations as contracting out and as the sale of enterprises.