PFI/PPP topic coverage in construction journals

The introduction of Private Finance Initiatives and similar procurement systems in construction projects has changed the way the construction industry deals with aspects of projects and their stakeholders. PFI was first introduced in UK in 1992, and since then, the number of projects provided through PFI/PPP has increased greatly in both the UK and worldwide. This paper presents an analysis of what has been written in construction journals about PFI/PPP from the beginning of 1998 to the end of 2003. Four major journals were selected to represent the construction journals (Journal of construction Engineering and management, Construction management and economics, International journal of project management, and Engineering, construction and architectural management). The analyses consist of topics salient to PFI/PPP, and include analysis of researchers, research centres, institutions, and countries. Results show that the number of published papers in this area is not comparative with the importance of PFI/PPP and the level of activities associated. The paper identifies a number of research gaps needing to be addressed by the academic community and other research led organizations.