Analysing the structure of public–private partnership projects using network theory

TLDR

Public–private partnership projects rely on complex contractual and financial arrangements among financiers, governments, contractors, operators, and customers, yet gaps remain in understanding how these relationships shape project outcomes. This study aims to identify the factors that influence PPP structuring, determine the key stakeholders, and clarify the roles of participating partners. By applying network theory, the authors map stakeholder relationships to reveal core, peripheral, and intermediary actors and assess how their interdependence affects PPP performance. The analysis demonstrates that network theory provides a more thorough understanding of PPP structures, offering valuable information for project sponsors, legal, and financial advisers.

Abstract

In public–private partnership projects (PPP), the relationships between the participants are established through a variety of contractual agreements between financiers, government, contractors, operators and customers. Raising funds, linking various participants legally and financially, ensuring supply, and producing and marketing products depend on well‐established financial and legal structures of PPP. Though numerous research studies have been conducted to establish and justify the structure of PPP projects based on contractual agreements between participating stakeholders and on existing legal frameworks of a host country, there are still questions left unanswered. Examples are: What are the factors that influence the structuring of PPP? Who are the key stakeholders? And what are the roles of participating partners in a PPP project? However, not much work has been done. Application of network theory can help fill these gaps and identify and distinguish potential stakeholders in PPP affiliation and can effectively contribute to an in‐depth analysis of the relationships between participating partners. The analysis can identify important features like core–peripheral stakeholder(s), influential intermediary participants and their interdependence, and influences of a PPP structure on its substantive outcome. With the introduction of the network theory, a more thorough analysis of PPP structures can be achieved which may provide valuable information to project sponsors as well as legal and financial advisers.