Government Contracts for Legal Services: Does a Previous Contracting Relationship Alter Accountability?

Malatesta, Deanna and Craig R. Smith. 2012. Government contracts for legal services. Does a previous contracting relationship alter accountability? State & Local Government Review. 44(2): 113-126

29 Pages Posted: 13 Jul 2012 Last revised: 22 Jan 2015

See all articles by Deanna Malatesta

Deanna Malatesta

affiliation not provided to SSRN; O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs

Craig R. Smith

University of Arizona

Date Written: April 12, 2012

Abstract

This research examines 130 government contracts for legal services, specifically focusing on how decisions to include various accountability clauses are influenced by previous relationships between the government and its private sector contractors. Overall, the findings illustrate that prior positive contract experiences decrease the use of clauses that facilitate disclosure of information but increase the use of contract details. The evidence suggests an important role for relationships in new governance: Contracting with familiar contractors may reduce the cost and use of some forms of accountability but not necessarily reduce overall accountability.

Keywords: public sector contracting, accountability, contract design

Suggested Citation

Malatesta, Deanna and Malatesta, Deanna and Smith, Craig R., Government Contracts for Legal Services: Does a Previous Contracting Relationship Alter Accountability? (April 12, 2012). Malatesta, Deanna and Craig R. Smith. 2012. Government contracts for legal services. Does a previous contracting relationship alter accountability? State & Local Government Review. 44(2): 113-126, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2104976 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2104976

Deanna Malatesta (Contact Author)

affiliation not provided to SSRN

O'Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs ( email )

1315 East Tenth Street
227
Bloomington, IN 47405
United States
812-855-0563 (Phone)

Craig R. Smith

University of Arizona ( email )

Department of History
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

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