Towards a Better Understanding of Local Service Provision: Implications for Studying the Determinants of Production Choice

Abstract

Researchers studying local governance, especially alternative service delivery arrangements, have long relied on the ICMA ASD survey to examine the scope and nature of service provision and production at the local level. Building upon Lamothe, Lamothe, and Bell's (2018) findings that raise questions concerning the accuracy of the ASD survey and resulting misconceptions about service provision, this paper refines how provision can be conceptualized and measured to promote a better understanding of local governance. Utilizing a unique survey design that incorporates, but also extends the ASD format, we demonstrate that service provision is multifaceted, and jurisdictions participate in varying degrees of provision activities based on the sector of the producing entity. Our findings highlight the importance of properly accounting for provision activities and call into question the efficacy of the conventional contracting framework as the primary theoretical underpinning of most studies of local service delivery arrangements.