A Study of the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission’s (PURC) Role as a Public Utility Regulator and its Corporate Reputation

Abstract

This qualitative study explores the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission's (PURC) role as a public regulator and its corporate reputation. It aims to examine the PURC's regulatory practices and their impact on its corporate reputation. The objectives of the study are to investigate the PURC's role in regulating public utilities, assess the commission's corporate reputation, and identify the factors that influence the PURC's corporate reputation. The study adopts a qualitative research design, using a case study approach to gather in-depth information about the PURC's regulatory practices and corporate reputation. The population of the study consists of stakeholders of the PURC, including officials of the commission, utility service providers, and consumers. A sample size of 10 participants was selected using the purposive sampling technique. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews, using an interview guide as the data collection tool. The data collected was analyzed using thematic analysis. The study adopts the Reputation Management Theory and the Stakeholder Theory as its theoretical frameworks. The findings of the study reveal that the PURC's regulatory practices have a significant impact on its corporate reputation. The study identifies factors such as transparency, accountability, and fairness as crucial in shaping the PURC's corporate reputation. The study recommends that the PURC should prioritize transparency and accountability in its regulatory practices to enhance its corporate reputation. The study also suggests that the government should provide the PURC with the necessary resources and autonomy to regulate public utilities. Further studies can explore the impact of the PURC's corporate reputation on its regulatory effectiveness and the overall performance of the utility service providers. In conclusion, the study provides insights into the PURC's role as a public regulator and its corporate reputation. The study's findings and recommendations are relevant for policy formulation and practice and can inform the development of effective regulatory practices that promote transparency, accountability, and fairness.