Li, B, Akintoye, A and Hardcastle, C (2000) Conceptual framework for construction public private partnerships. In: Akintoye, A (Ed.), 16th Annual ARCOM Conference, 6-8 September 2000, Glasgow Caledonian University. Association of Researchers in Construction Management, Vol. 1, 229-40. CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK FOR CONSTRUCTION PUBLIC PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS Bing Li 1 , Akintola Akintoye 2 and Cliff Hardcastle Department of Building and Surveying, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow G4 0BA, UK Construction projects are typically financially expensive, that governments both in developed and developing countries, for pragmatic reasons are now adopting public- private partnership to fund public sector projects. The forms of public-private partnerships (PPPs) and the use in many countries and industries are increasing as part of the policies towards decentralisation and deregulation. A three-year research programme is currently underway at the Glasgow Caledonian University to develop an organisational framework for construction PPP and model associated risk management. The purpose of this paper is to rationalise the concept and structure of PPPs, and to use this as a basis for continuous research. Based on a literature review of work already done in the subject area, a conceptual framework for PPP is presented. In addition, the paper describes some main issues involved in construction PPPs, including the reasons for the public and private sectors' involvement and associated risks. Keywords: procurement, public good and service, public private partnership, risk, success factor, public sector, BOT INTRODUCTION Rapid growth in demand for infrastructure has been a common theme in recent decades in developing countries. It is a recognised fact that many governments are short of financial resources, technological and efficient management skills in their infrastructure and other construction project developments (Roth, 1987). They are now seeking the international company, private sector and other non-profit organisations to help finance their projects and achieve technology transfer. The developed countries’ governments, for the purposes of delivering higher quality and more cost-effective public services are encouraging private sector involvement in the provision of financing and management of public sector infrastructure through PPP (HM, 1995). There is no single definition of the term “public private partnership”. The term should be viewed as a spectrum of possible relationships between public and private actors for the co-operative provision of traditionally public-domain services. Gentry and Fernandez (1997) described Construction Public-Private Partnerships as private participation in the design, financing, construction, ownership, and operation of a public purpose facility or service. These arrangements vary from contracting out, mixed-capital public private joint ventures, Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT), lease- develop-operate, and full privatisation. 1 Email: b.li@gcal.ac.uk 2 Email: akin@gcal.ac.uk