Modeling and assessment of competencies in urban local bodies for implementing PPP projects

Abstract

PurposeThe weak competencies in urban local bodies (ULBs) for implementing public private partnership (PPP) projects are recognized as a major hurdle in uptake of the PPP model in India. Competency‐based management provides a systematic solution for addressing the competency gap in ULBs, which comprises four components: competency identification, competency assessment, competency development and competency monitoring. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the development of a PPP competencies assessment (PCA) tool for assessment of competencies in ULBs for implementing urban PPP projects.Design/methodology/approachThe analytical hierarchy process (AHP) was used for modeling of competencies involved in urban PPP projects. The application of the PCA tool was showcased with a case study of PPP projects in the municipal solid waste management (MSW) sector.FindingsThe PCA tool is effective in assessment of competencies in ULBs. The outputs obtained from the PCA tool provided detailed information on competency profile of the ULB, competency gap and aggregate measure of PPP competencies index.Originality/valueThe study contributes towards the growing body of knowledge on competency development in ULBs for implementing urban PPP projects. The results would also help policy makers to formulate approaches to overcome the competency gap in ULBs.