Management consultancy in the public sector: evidence from Greece

• Department of Economics

This seminar features a paper presentation by Alessandra Fenizia (George Washington University).

Improving management is challenging, particularly in the public sector, where incentives are often weak. This paper examines whether management consultancy can help overcome this challenge. We designed a management intervention aimed at reducing dropout rates and implemented it in randomly selected vocational schools in Greece. The intervention reduces student dropout by approximately 13%. The primary mechanism appears to be changes in management practices, particularly those related to apprenticeship assignments and a clearer delineation of responsibilities. The treatment effects persist one year after the end of the intervention. These findings suggest that management consultancy can be an effective tool for improving organizational performance beyond the private sector.

Jointly with Renata Lemos and Ioanna Pantelaiou.