Contract-type Public Private Partnerships in Services

Citation

McQuaid R (2018) Contract-type Public Private Partnerships in Services. In: Ahmed A (ed.) World Sustainable Development Outlook 2018 - Public Private Partnerships for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. London: World Association for Sustainable Development, pp. 33-47.

Abstract
· Purpose: Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) have been used in attempts to improve efficiency, effectiveness and innovation in infrastructure and services and to enlarge public budgets in the short-term. There appears to be large potential scope for the greater use of PPPs in many countries, but it is crucial that the mistakes made elsewhere are avoided and that there is a transparent and robust system of regulation and support. This paper critically assesses some of the micro- and macro-economic reasons for using Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for infrastructure and services. · Design/methodology/approach: It reviews some selected evidence related to policy arguments in favour of PPPs and some potential shortcomings of PPPs in practice. · Findings: There are a number of reasons why PPPs can provide improved infrastructure and services, however, in practice these may often not be fully realized due to in-built incentives, biases and implementation shortcomings. Transparent a priori and on-going evaluation for deciding on PPPs needs to be set up and using PPPs effectively compared to alternative funding sources. Otherwise there is scope for inefficiencies and misuse of PPPs. Necessary support for PPPs includes strong, robust and transparent regulatory and governance systems and the dissemination of good practice to all partners, as well as good quality advice and training. · Originality/value: The paper sets out a number of reasons for using PPPs, but also assesses potential drawbacks associated with them.