How is outsourcing defined in the context of public services?

Outsourcing in the context of public services is primarily defined as the practice of contracting out and granting franchises to private firms to perform services that could be provided by the government. This approach allows public entities to leverage the efficiencies and expertise of private sector companies, potentially leading to cost savings, improved service delivery, and enhanced innovation. By outsourcing, government agencies can focus their resources on core functions while allowing specialized firms to manage specific services.

In contrast to this definition, increasing government employment does not reflect the essence of outsourcing, which typically aims to reduce the size of government roles in certain areas. Also, reducing reliance on technology in service delivery does not align with the goals of outsourcing, which often involves the integration of advanced technologies and efficiencies that private firms can bring. Public-private partnerships for infrastructure projects may involve collaboration between government and private entities, but this term is broader and does not specifically capture the outsourcing concept, which is more focused on the delegation of services rather than collaborative infrastructure projects.