Managing economic feasibility and social relationships

Managing economic feasibility and social relationships: interventions to prevent dysfunctional conflict in public–private partnerships

Lousberg, Louis (TU Delft Design & Construction Management)
Wamelink, J.W.F. (TU Delft Management in the Built Environment)
de Caluwe, LIA (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam)

Management in the Built Environment

2016

Large engineering projects such as urban development projects that are organised as public–private partnerships (PPPs) often encounter critical problems that directly affect the partnerships. Literature indicates that characteristics specific to PPPs contribute to these critical problems becoming dysfunctional conflicts. Consequently, objectives are no longer met and projects suffer. This study identified interventions that prevent these dysfunctional conflicts. In the literature, no interventions at an operational level that are suitable for use ‘at the negotiating table’ and are also applicable for urban development PPP projects were found. Hence, based on a review of literature on interventions, a perspective for action was developed on interventions that are likely to succeed. Subsequently, in a study of 10 cases of urban development PPP projects, these (and other) interventions were found. All interventions can be categorised under economic feasibility or social relationship. We conclude that dysfunctional conflicts in urban development PPP projects can be prevented by managing economic feasibility and social relationships. Under certain conditions, this also seems applicable to other PPPs.

Dysfunctional conflict
interventions
public–private partnership

http://resolver.tudelft.nl/uuid:7fd172ea-1d7f-460c-b0b8-a0d58bff2897

https://doi.org/10.1080/21573727.2016.1260611

2017-11-30

2157-3727

Engineering Project Organization Journal, 6 (2-4), 166-175

Accepted Author Manuscript

Institutional Repository

journal article

© 2016 Louis Lousberg, J.W.F. Wamelink, LIA de Caluwe