Accountability and transparency policies in Austrian Public-Owned Enterprises (POEs)

Abstract

Public owned enterprises (POEs) are important to the daily lives of citizens. As they provide employment as well as services of general economic interest. Nevertheless, researchers also indicate negative side effects like undermining political control, accountability or public ethics. Fully public or partly privatized POEs have to balance the interests of society for service provision and the economic interests of shareholders. The paper gives an overview about accountability and transparency policies in Austrian Public Owned Enterprises.