Corporatization in a Local Government Context: The case of Leirisport EM

Abstract

This project discusses the Local Governance in Portugal and its future perspectives, the New Public Management, and its models, and also the institutional management model of the Local Municipalities and Municipal Companies in providing public services in Portugal. Thus, this new paradigm is grounded on the introduction of market mechanisms and on the adoption of private management tools, on the promotion of competition between providers of Services of General Interest, in view of improving the service for the citizen in increasing management efficiency and flexibility. Furthermore, it addresses the legal framework of both the local municipalities and decentralisation of responsibilities from the Central Power to the Local Power. On the other side, this project’s case study addresses/assesses/ and investigates the feasibility, the economical-financial structure and the relation of the Municipality of Leiria and its public enterprise.