Making sense of the definition of public-private partnerships

Ke, Y; Cheng, Z; Zhang, J; Liu, Y

Making sense of the definition of public-private partnerships

Ke, Y

Cheng, Z Zhang, J Liu, Y

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Publisher:: EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 2024, 14, (1), pp. 4-21
Issue Date:: 2024-01-11

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Ke, Y https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3426-703X
dc.contributor.author	Cheng, Z
dc.contributor.author	Zhang, J
dc.contributor.author	Liu, Y
dc.date.accessioned	2024-01-24T00:36:05Z
dc.date.available	2024-01-24T00:36:05Z
dc.date.issued	2024-01-11
dc.identifier.citation	Built Environment Project and Asset Management, 2024, 14, (1), pp. 4-21
dc.identifier.issn	2044-124X
dc.identifier.issn	2044-1258
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174896
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: Despite the widespread study and application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) since the 1980s, the field lacks a universally accepted definition that captures the concept's complexity. This study aims to offer a definition and foster a more substantive and comprehensive discourse on PPPs to improve communication and understanding between academics and practitioners from diverse disciplines and legislative backgrounds. Design/methodology/approach: Grounded in the family-resemblance concept proposed by German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, this study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify core and non-core elements frequently cited in PPP descriptions. The authors used these findings to develop the PPP sunflower model as a structured framework for defining PPPs. Findings: The analysis elucidates six core elements consistently present in PPP descriptions: clarity of roles and responsibilities, appropriate risk allocation and sharing, injection of expertise and resources, cooperation and teamwork, a bundle of services, and long-term contracts. Coupled with identified non-core elements, these core components comprise the PPP sunflower model, a structured framework for defining PPPs that accommodates their multi-faceted nature. Originality/value: The PPP sunflower model distinguishes itself as a unique contribution to the PPP literature. It offers a rigorous theoretical framework that can elucidate the complexity of PPPs for various stakeholders. The model serves as a practical tool for evaluating the authenticity and viability of PPP projects. The study's novelty lies in its adoption of the family-resemblance concept, thereby providing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional framework that enhances the understanding of PPPs across different disciplines and legislative contexts.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	EMERALD GROUP PUBLISHING LTD
dc.relation.ispartof	Built Environment Project and Asset Management
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1108/BEPAM-01-2023-0009
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.rights	Copyright © 2023, Emerald Publishing Limited. This AAM is provided for your own personal use only. It may not be used for resale, reprinting, systematic distribution, emailing, or for any other commercial purpose without the permission of the publisher
dc.subject	0905 Civil Engineering, 1202 Building, 1205 Urban and Regional Planning
dc.subject.classification	3302 Building
dc.subject.classification	4005 Civil engineering
dc.title	Making sense of the definition of public-private partnerships
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	14
utslib.for	0905 Civil Engineering
utslib.for	1202 Building
utslib.for	1205 Urban and Regional Planning
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building/School of Built Environment
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.date.updated	2024-01-24T00:36:04Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	14
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Purpose: Despite the widespread study and application of public-private partnerships (PPPs) since the 1980s, the field lacks a universally accepted definition that captures the concept's complexity. This study aims to offer a definition and foster a more substantive and comprehensive discourse on PPPs to improve communication and understanding between academics and practitioners from diverse disciplines and legislative backgrounds. Design/methodology/approach: Grounded in the family-resemblance concept proposed by German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein, this study conducts a comprehensive literature review to identify core and non-core elements frequently cited in PPP descriptions. The authors used these findings to develop the PPP sunflower model as a structured framework for defining PPPs. Findings: The analysis elucidates six core elements consistently present in PPP descriptions: clarity of roles and responsibilities, appropriate risk allocation and sharing, injection of expertise and resources, cooperation and teamwork, a bundle of services, and long-term contracts. Coupled with identified non-core elements, these core components comprise the PPP sunflower model, a structured framework for defining PPPs that accommodates their multi-faceted nature. Originality/value: The PPP sunflower model distinguishes itself as a unique contribution to the PPP literature. It offers a rigorous theoretical framework that can elucidate the complexity of PPPs for various stakeholders. The model serves as a practical tool for evaluating the authenticity and viability of PPP projects. The study's novelty lies in its adoption of the family-resemblance concept, thereby providing a comprehensive, multi-dimensional framework that enhances the understanding of PPPs across different disciplines and legislative contexts.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/174896