Assessment of factors influencing the adoption of public private partnerships in water infrastructure projects in selected municipalities

Abstract

In this thesis titled “Assessment of factors influencing the adoption of public private partnerships in water infrastructure projects in selected municipalities” the study explores what influences the pace of adoption of municipal public private partnerships (PPPs) in water infrastructure projects. The study (i) determines whether the municipal PPPs regulatory framework in South Africa compares to international best practice and (ii) assess the factors influencing the adoption of PPPs in water infrastructure in selected municipalities in the Gauteng Province. A qualitative research method through the use of case studies anchored the study. The study identifies cumbersome regulatory environment, political dynamics, complexity of PPPs, influences of labour unions among others as contributing to the slow adoption of municipal PPPs. The study contributes towards knowledge and practice by proposing a regulatory framework to improve the municipal PPP approval process.