Social Dimensions in Ex-Post Evaluation of Public Private Partnership Infrastructure Projects: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Although public private partnerships (PPPs) have been in existence for decades as a procurement tool for infrastructure projects, a dearth of studies on ex-post evaluation of Public Private Partnership Infrastructure Projects (PPPIPs) exists globally. Additionally, the contribution of scholars to the inclusion of social dimensions in ex-post evaluations is not fully known. Due to the existing gap, this study aimed at identifying and mapping the literature on the ex-post evaluation of PPPIPs and reviewed its contribution to the assessment of social impacts through the inclusion of social dimensions. The Arkesy and O’Malley five-stage framework was used to conduct a scoping review grounded in 27 articles focusing on the ex-post evaluation of PPPIPs. The selection of articles for review used the PRISMA framework and data were analysed through content analysis. The key findings revealed that mutual relationships existed among the theoretical foundation of the review, the themes, and identified social dimensions. Additionally, diversity was seen in the needs and interests of stakeholders, and finally, the low research output in the ex-post evaluation of PPPIPs was observed. A huge research potential has been revealed with specific focus on the social dimension of the triple bottom line concept of sustainable development to achieve PPPIPs’ social sustainability.