LibanPost : a successful public-private partnership

Abstract

With the international decline in demand for traditional mail, public postal operators worldwide are looking for alternative ways to compensate for lost revenues, mainly through diversification, commercialization, and increased involvement of the private sector. This case study examines how the public-private partnership between the Lebanese government and LibanPost, a privately owned postal company, succeeded in transforming the courier company from a bureaucratic public administration incurring substantial losses, to a profitable commercial company. The case follows a qualitative research strategy employing an inductive approach. The choice of methodology corresponds with the aim of conducting an exploratory study about LibanPosts progression and reform process. The research philosophy adopted was epistemological interpretivism. In addition, the theoretical context was obtained by scanning relevant articles, books, and studies. However, the empirical information was acquired through a series of intensive semi-structured interviews with high-profile key personnel holding executive positions in the Lebanese postal industry. The results of this case study indicate that LibanPost has skillfully overcome its various challenges; thus attaining a significant level of success in a short period of time. According to the findings, the companys achievements are predominantly linked to its diversification strategy, as well as other factors such as automation, integration of information systems, cost containment, and the development of a customer focus.