Why and how do politics, society and economics shape the growth and failure of labour markets? Does government intervention help or harm labour market reforms/adjustments in times of economic downturn? What forces drive such government intervention and do they differ from society to society?In addressing these big-picture questions, this book's analytical scope is heavily centred around the topic of labour markets' performance. The book argues that performance in labour markets across countries are influenced by their labour market policies. In turn, these policies are shaped, in varying degrees, by the country's politics. Each chapter in this book dives into the labour market experiences in various countries to demonstrate why in some countries, labour markets perform better than in other countries. Major findings from this book suggest that countries can produce better economic and social outcomes (e.g. lower socio-economic inequality) if their labour market policies are aimed at fostering a socially and politically stable society via greater equity in wealth distribution across various socio-cultural and income groups.This book is an essential read for any public policy researchers, policy practitioners and undergraduate/graduate students who are interested or vested in the topic of labour markets' performance in the political, social and economic dimensions. Particularly, this book provides a critical synthesis of the labour market experiences in many countries. Hence, the book serves as an ideational tool to advance future labour market research and policy.

This book looks at what drives effective management of public-private partnerships (PPPs). It examines widely cited Singaporean cases pertaining to successful PPPs as well as those in failure (and subsequently contracted back in the public-sector provision) in diverse areas of public service, such as water services, educational services, trade and logistical data services, residential services, acquisition and maintenance of military systems, research and development services, infrastructure, and sport services. The book begins each case with an overview (e.g., project goals (motivators), types of PPPs, stakeholders, time period, assigned budget, and capital planning) and then specifically discusses critical success factors and/or risk factors pertaining to the decisions to proceed with ongoing PPPs or to return to self-operation (in-house public production) of services later, respectively. The book concludes with a discussion of lessons learned from Singaporean cases and contexts of PPPs and suggests more feasible strategies and conditions toward successful collaborative governance between public agencies and private counterparts for the new century. This book will appeal especially to public policymakers.

This book looks at what drives effective management of public-private partnerships (PPPs). It examines widely cited Singaporean cases pertaining to successful PPPs as well as those in failure (and subsequently contracted back in the public-sector provision) in diverse areas of public service, such as water services, educational services, trade and logistical data services, residential services, acquisition and maintenance of military systems, research and development services, infrastructure, and sport services. The book begins each case with an overview (e.g., project goals (motivators), types of PPPs, stakeholders, time period, assigned budget, and capital planning) and then specifically discusses critical success factors and/or risk factors pertaining to the decisions to proceed with ongoing PPPs or to return to self-operation (in-house public production) of services later, respectively. The book concludes with a discussion of lessons learned from Singaporean cases and contexts of PPPs and suggests more feasible strategies and conditions toward successful collaborative governance between public agencies and private counterparts for the new century. This book will appeal especially to public policymakers.