Technological innovations in the context of public-private partnership projects

The idea that the private sector can play an important partin the financing and creation of built assets and the subsequent operation of public services has gained ground over the last decade. This development has contributed to the rise in public-private partnership (PPP) projects in many countries and within many areas in the public sector. From the construction perspective, these projects are usually credited as providing real incentives for the actors involved, as well as creating a business environment that is conducive to innovation and improved practices, especially in the construction phase. This thesis examines the validity of these statements in the context of the PPP procurement route and the extent to which the actors involved in the design and construction phases are presented with, and able to exploit, opportunities for technological innovation. A multiple-case study approach was adopted for the empirical part of theresearch. Four major projects, containing significant construction work and completed between 1997 and 2002, were studied: three in the UK and one in Sweden. Project personnel - the principal actors in the design and construction phases - were interviewed at length. Within the findings there is evidence that the existence of certain conditions on projects, and particular actions arising in relation thereto, can lead to a marked propensity towards innovative behaviour.The conclusion is reached that it is possible to implement technological innovations successfully on PPP projects, but that there is reason to be cautious in promoting this procurement route as a prescription for success in the construction sector. There are inhibitors in the process that have the potential to limit the amount of innovation achieved on a project. The thesis discusses this matter and identifies three key areas - communication and information, achievingtransparency in the applied framework and risk management - in which actions could be taken in order to improve the prospects for realising technological innovation on PPP projects.