Making collaborative governance effective: a case study on the pathway to successful public-private interactions

Abstract

This study aims to understand the processes that guide effective policies of collaborative governance where both public and private actors are involved. By adopting the theoretical framework developed by Ansell and Gash (2007), this study seeks to analyse the antecedents and subsequent effects of a successful case of collaborative governance in the port city of Naples. Increasing pressure from stakeholders evoked collaboration between public institutions and other private actors, in which discussion tables were utilised to develop ideas for the regeneration of San Vincenzo's Pier. The collaborative approach adopted by public institutions and citizens associations allowed the bureaucratic hurdles that hindered the recovery and the re-opening of the pier to be overcome. The analysed case contributes toward existing literature on collaborative governance by suggesting an additional step within the framework initially developed by Ansell and Gash. Furthermore, the study provides interesting and practical implications for public managers and policy makers.