(a) What are state-owned enterprises? (b) State any three reasons for the establishment of state-owned enterprises. (c) Highlight any four problems associat...
(b) State any three reasons for the establishment of state-owned enterprises.
(c) Highlight any four problems associated with state-owned enterprises.
(a)State-owned enterprises (public corporations) are business organisations established, owned, financed and controlled by the government to provide goods or services to the public, for example a national electricity or water company.
(b) Three reasons for establishing them:
To provide essential services (water, electricity, transport) that the public needs but which private firms may not supply adequately.
To prevent private monopoly and exploitation in strategic industries by keeping them under public control.
To provide services that require very large capital which private investors may be unable or unwilling to raise, and to promote development and employment.
(c) Four problems associated with them:
Inefficiency and mismanagement arising from the absence of a strong profit motive.
Political interference in appointments and decisions, which lowers performance.
Losses and heavy reliance on government subsidies, which burden public finances.
Corruption, bureaucracy and red tape, which cause waste and slow decision-making.
(a)State-owned enterprises (public corporations) are business organisations established, owned, financed and controlled by the government to provide goods or services to the public, for example a national electricity or water company.
(b) Three reasons for establishing them:
To provide essential services (water, electricity, transport) that the public needs but which private firms may not supply adequately.
To prevent private monopoly and exploitation in strategic industries by keeping them under public control.
To provide services that require very large capital which private investors may be unable or unwilling to raise, and to promote development and employment.
(c) Four problems associated with them:
Inefficiency and mismanagement arising from the absence of a strong profit motive.
Political interference in appointments and decisions, which lowers performance.
Losses and heavy reliance on government subsidies, which burden public finances.
Corruption, bureaucracy and red tape, which cause waste and slow decision-making.