ABSTRACT

State-owned enterprises make up roughly 10 percent of the world economy, yet they are woefully understudied. This handbook offers the first synthesis of the topic since the 1980s and offers a comprehensive reference for a generation.

The authors provide a detailed explanation of the theory that underpins the expansion of state-owned enterprises in the 21st century. Each chapter delivers an overview of current knowledge, as well as identifying issues and relevant debates for future research. The authors explain how state-owned enterprises are used in both developed and developing countries and offer an insight into complex and fascinating organizations such as the German municipal conglomerates or the multinational companies owned by states. New modes of governance and regulation have been invented to make sure they act in the public interest. This handbook brings together a wealth of international scholars, offering multiple theoretical perspectives to help shape a brave new world.

It will be of interest to teachers and students of Economics, Public Administration and Business, academics, established researchers and PhD students seeking rigorous literature reviews on specific aspects of SOEs, as well as practitioners and decision makers in international organizations.

chapter |22 pages

Introduction

part I|83 pages

The scope of the phenomenon

chapter 1|20 pages

History of Western State-Owned Enterprises

From the Industrial Revolution to the age of globalization

chapter 3|13 pages

State-Owned Enterprises

Rising, falling and returning? A brief overview

chapter 4|18 pages

State-Owned Enterprises and the Public Mission

A multidimensional lens

part II|106 pages

Perspectives on history and geography

chapter 7|17 pages

State-Owned Enterprise and Privatisation

Some lessons from the UK

chapter 10|22 pages

The Industrial Policy Role of European State-Invested Enterprises in the 21st Century

Continuity and change across phases of domestic and global transformation

part III|123 pages

Approaches to the study of state-owned enterprises

chapter 13|17 pages

State-Owned Enterprises as Institutional Market Actors

A gradual institutional change perspective on domestic SOEs in the marketization of public services

chapter 14|11 pages

Legal Aspects of Public Enterprises

Remarks based on a comparative study of French, European and American legislation

chapter 15|15 pages

Don’t Get Too Excited

The structural limits of state-owned enterprises in capitalist economies

chapter 17|21 pages

The Politics of State-Owned Enterprises

The case of the rail sector

chapter 18|14 pages

Principals and Agents

The relationship between governments and state-owned enterprises

part IV|93 pages

Financial dimensions of public ownership

part V|99 pages

Issues about governance

chapter 24|12 pages

Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises

Conceptualization, challenges and perspectives for the public corporate governance field

chapter 25|15 pages

Corporate Governance in State-Owned Enterprises

The role of informal institutions

chapter 26|19 pages

Public Accountability of State-Owned Enterprises

Approaches and research trends

chapter 27|20 pages

Utilities Policy and Reform

The changing relationship between citizens and SOEs

chapter 28|16 pages

Vox Populi, Vox Dei

State-owned enterprises in the court of public opinion

chapter 29|15 pages

State-Owned Organization Strategy

At the interface of society and business

part VI|54 pages

The activities and performance of state-owned enterprises

chapter 32|17 pages

(Re)Municipalisation

A new era for ownership and control of local public service delivery?

part VII|56 pages

State-owned enterprises and innovation: a new frontier