Uvic Thesis Template
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Public Sector Capacity to Plan and Deliver Public/Private Infrastructure Partnerships (P3s): A Case Study of British Columbia’s Healthcare Sector by Maurice Rachwalski M.A., University of British Columbia, 1993 B.S.W., University of British Columbia, 1989 B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1985 A Dissertation Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY in the School of Public Administration Maurice Rachwalski, 2013 University of Victoria All rights reserved. This dissertation may not be reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without the permission of the author. ii Supervisory Committee Public Sector Capacity to Plan and Deliver Public/Private Infrastructure Partnerships (P3s): A Case Study of British Columbia’s Healthcare Sector by Maurice Rachwalski M.A., University of British Columbia, 1993 B.S.W., University of British Columbia, 1989 B.A., Simon Fraser University, 1985 Supervisory Committee Dr. John W. Langford, (School of Public Administration) Supervisor Dr. Evert A. Lindquist, (School of Public Administration) Departmental Member Dr. David Scoones, (Department of Economics) Outside Member Dr. Thomas Ross, (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia) Additional Member iii Abstract Supervisory Committee Dr. John W. Langford, (School of Public Administration) Supervisor Dr. Evert A. Lindquist, (School of Public Administration) Departmental Member Dr. David Scoones, (Department of Economics) Outside Member Dr. Thomas Ross, (Sauder School of Business, University of British Columbia) Additional Member Sweeping public sector reforms have occurred globally in recent decades. One of the more high profile and contentious strategies pursued in jurisdictions such as Australia, the United Kingdom, and more recently Canada is the radical shift to public- private infrastructure partnerships - commonly referred to in Canada as ‘P3s’. The Government of British Columbia (BC) has emerged as the leading proponent of the P3 model in Canada. The strategic shift in BC to the P3 model was introduced in 2002 by the governing Liberal party. The Liberals created Partnerships BC to spearhead the P3 program, and singled out the healthcare sector to move forward the P3 agenda. The dynamics of delivering a complex and unfamiliar business model like P3s through this new public agency, combined with the unique ecology of the healthcare system, added to the complexity of delivering a central government mandated strategic policy priority like a P3-first agenda, making for a robust case study. iv Focusing on the issue of public sector capacity to implement policy, this study examines how BC has transitioned from traditional procurement and operation of public infrastructure such as hospitals to the wide-spread use of P3s. The study asks questions about three independent variables of capacity related to implementation of P3 and other cross-cutting programs: governance; human resources; and, inter-agency collaboration within the public sector. Drawn from an extensive review of scholarly studies and literature, and government and consultant reports examining actual infrastructure P3 experiences and exemplary practices, these variables formed the basis of the study’s analytical model. The study employed the following multi-method (triangulation) research and data collection approach: i) an archival review of text-based government documents; ii) interviews with key public employees either directly or indirectly involved in P3 program implementation; and, iii) field observations of the principal researcher based on first-hand experiences as a senior manager in the BC government during this period. Based on the analytical model developed, the study reveals a capacity deficit in BC to adequately plan and implement a comprehensive P3 program. Based on the literature, the model establishes that central agencies play a critical role in an effective P3 policy program. So what is most noteworthy is the lack of resources and attention given to developing central agency capacity to: advance sound P3 policies; ensure ongoing program oversight and accountability; and, provide necessary guidance and support to agencies tasked with implementing very complex P3 arrangements in a multi-agency domain. v For practitioners, the study validates key elements of capacity to be considered when planning and implementing major shifts in public policy. The literature review and the study’s findings also have relevance for the public administration profession through the development of the analytical framework and its application to an important contemporary public policy area. As a contribution to scholarly and academic research, this paper tests the validity and reliability of the analytical model developed and the overall methodology used, and identifies significant areas that merit further study related to the broader phenomenon of P3s and public sector capacity. vi Table of Contents Supervisory Committee .................................................................................................... ii Abstract ............................................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ............................................................................................................. vi List of Tables and Figures ............................................................................................... ix Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................. x Dedication ........................................................................................................................ xii Chapter 1- Public Sector Capacity in a P3 Domain....................................................... 1 Introduction .............................................................................................................. 1 Dissertation Problem Statement ............................................................................. 4 Researcher Observations and Perspective ............................................................ 7 Hypothesis ............................................................................................................. 8 Study Rationale ...................................................................................................... 10 Study Context ....................................................................................................... 13 Elements of This Study .......................................................................................... 15 Independent Variables ......................................................................................... 17 Remainder of the Dissertation—Format and Content ....................................... 21 Chapter Two - The Study’s Analytical Model: A Three-Legged “Capacity Stool” . 24 Introduction ............................................................................................................ 24 Clarifying Collaboration and Governance ......................................................... 27 Governance Variable ............................................................................................. 29 The Relevance of Governance Capacity to P3s ................................................ 35 The Need for Clearly Defined Agency Roles, Mandates and Responsibilities .... 40 Appropriate Institutional Structures ................................................................... 43 Central Agency Coordination and Oversight ...................................................... 45 Governance Summary ......................................................................................... 51 Table 2.1 – Elements and Questions to Examine P3 Governance Capacity ..51 HR Capacity Defined ........................................................................................... 53 HR Implications of the P3 Model ........................................................................ 55 Other Factors Influencing P3 HR Capacity ........................................................ 59 Central Agencies and P3 HR Strategies .............................................................. 61 HR Capacity and Inter-Agency Collaboration .................................................... 62 HR Variable Summary ......................................................................................... 64 Table 2.2 - Key Elements and Questions to Examine P3 Human Resource Capacity ..........................................................................................................67 Collaboration Defined ......................................................................................... 69 Collaborate or Consolidate? ............................................................................... 71 Why is Collaboration Amongst Public Agencies Relevant? ................................ 73 The Paradox or “Duality” of Collaboration ...................................................... 76 Task Networks ..................................................................................................... 77 The Merits of Collaboration in a P3 Domain ..................................................... 79 vii The Role of Central Departments in Task Networks ........................................... 82 Collaboration Summary ...................................................................................... 85 Table 2.3