Simon Hakim

Simon Hakim is Professor of Economics at Temple University's College of Liberal Arts and Director of the Center for Competitive Government. His work bridges economic theory with practical applications in public policy, particularly in security and privatization.

His educational credentials include a B.A. in Economics (Hebrew University), M.Sc. in City and Regional Planning (Technion), and M.A./Ph.D. in Regional Science (University of Pennsylvania).

Dr. Hakim's research focuses on economics of crime and security, public-private partnerships, and privatization of government services. He has made significant contributions to understanding homeland security, urban economics, and the evaluation of public projects, often examining the interplay between private sector involvement and public service delivery.

His recent publications demonstrate a strong trend toward critical infrastructure protection, disaster management governance, and the economic analysis of social services such as foster care. These works consistently apply economic principles to evaluate efficiency and effectiveness in public-private collaborations.

He has conducted funded research for the U.S. Departments of Justice and Labor, cities like Philadelphia and Newark, security industry associations, and private companies including ADT and Vector Security. These projects address privatization, security systems, and public finance challenges.

As Director of the Center for Competitive Government, he oversees a research team that promotes competitive governance models and public-private partnerships through policy analysis and industry engagement.