TITLE:
Private Sector in Public Policy—An Analysis of Private Sector Involvement in Corona Virus Testing
AUTHORS:
Gbenga Ayodeji Osinowo
KEYWORDS:
Corona Virus Testing, Private Sector, Public Sector, Public Policy
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.9 No.12,
December
8,
2021
ABSTRACT: The federal government delayed incorporating the private sector in the
coronavirus testing of the people. As a result, early detection of coronavirus
cases was hampered in the United States of America. The purpose of this
qualitative, case study was to investigate the synergy between the public and
private sectors in coronavirus testing. Secondary data were collected regarding
the private sector involvement in coronavirus testing through media reports,
corporate records, and credible news sources. These data were compiled as raw
data and developed into codes, which led to categories and eventually developed
into themes. Findings indicate that the delay in the private sector coronavirus
testing was due to the government’s quest for political gain to guarantee
reelection and the incompetence of the government that could not incorporate
and coordinate the early inclusion of the private sector effectively. The
findings also show how the government delayed the private sector in coronavirus
testing via a rigid governmental control that prevented coronavirus testing at
the early stages of the pandemic. The positive policy change of this study
recommends adequate mechanisms to guarantee easy integration and coordination
between the private and the public sectors in public policy. Also, this paper’s positive social change
implication shows that it is compulsory to include the private sector in public
policy process, because their expertise is
needed to provide expedited public policy to cater to the needs of society.