Abstract

SARMENTO, Joaquim  and  COSTA, Sara. Public work deviation costs and time in Portugal: an analysis between 1999 and 2011. Rev. Portuguesa e Brasileira de Gestão [online]. 2014, vol.13, n.1, pp.39-50. ISSN 1645-4464.

The aim of this study was to research the financial and temporal deviations of public works in Portugal, from 1999 to 2011. The sample consisted of 164 projects with financial data and 59 with time performance data. Statistical work was performed regarding the deviation in percentage, regarding variables as time, electoral years or project dimension. The relevance of the study relates to the fact that there are few international studies and no study on the actual Portuguese reality regarding the inefficiency of the public sector in public works projects. The main conclusions of the study may point out that the public works projects have had their costs underestimated by 32% in average and that its execution time equals to twice of the allotted time. Larger projects have a cost deviation average of 40%. Electoral years appear to have an impact in increasing cost deviations, but reducing time deviation. Time variation appears to have a positive effect in reducing deviations, particularly after 2006.

Keywords : Cost Deviations; Time Deviations; Public Works; Public Sector Inefficiency.

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