Privatization of government enterprise: the challenge to management

Privatization, the process of denationalizing government owned firms, is a significant change in the existing pattern of enterprise ownership. Privatization has occurred in the past, but never has it been experienced throughout the world as it is in the decade of the eighties. This paper traces the rationale for government ownership, and subsequent reasons for privatization. After setting this backdrop, privatization programs in the Pacific Basin are examined as illustrations of the diversity and scope of privatization. A discussion of the challenges to management are developed. (Reprinted by permission of the publisher.)