Understanding absences and ambiguities of Post-decision Project Evaluation in the UK's PPPs: drawing from the sociology of ignorance

Xiao Shu, S. Smyth, J. Haslam
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Abstract

PurposeThe authors explore the under-researched area of post-decision evaluation in PPPs (public–private partnerships), focusing upon how and whether Post-decision Project Evaluation (PdPE) is considered and provided for in United Kingdom (UK) public infrastructure projects.Design/methodology/approachThe authors’ research design sought insights from overviewing UK PPP planning and more focused exploration of PPP operational practice. The authors combine the extensive analysis of planning documents for operational UK PPP projects with interviews of different stakeholders in PPP projects in one city. Mobilising an open critical perspective, documents were analysed using ethnographic content analysis (ECA) and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis consistent therewith. The authors theorise the absence and ambiguities of PdPE drawing on the sociology of ignorance.FindingsThe authors find a long-standing absence and lack of PdPE in PPP projects throughout planning and operational practice, reflecting a dynamic, multi-faceted ignorance. Concerning planning practice, the authors’ documentary analysis evidences a trend in PdPE from its absence in the early years (which may indicate some natural or genuine ignorance) to different levels or forms of weak inclusion later. Regarding this inclusion, the authors find strategic ignorance played a substantive role, involving “deliberate engineering” by both public sector and private partners. Interview findings indicate lack of clarity over PdPE and its under-development in PPP practice, deficiencies again suggestive of natural and strategic ignorance.Originality/valueThe authors draw from the sociology of ignorance vis-à-vis accounting's absence and ambiguity in the context of PPP, contributing to an under-researched area.
理解英国公私伙伴关系中决策后项目评估的缺失和模糊:来自无知社会学的借鉴
作者探讨了ppp(公私合作伙伴关系)决策后评估研究不足的领域,重点关注英国公共基础设施项目如何以及是否考虑和提供决策后项目评估(PdPE)。设计/方法/方法作者的研究设计从对英国PPP规划的概述和对PPP运营实践的更集中的探索中寻求见解。作者将对英国运营PPP项目规划文件的广泛分析与对一个城市PPP项目中不同利益相关者的访谈相结合。动员开放的批判性观点,使用人种学内容分析(ECA)分析文件,并使用与之一致的主题分析分析访谈。作者从无知社会学的角度对PdPE的缺失和模糊性进行了理论化。作者发现,PPP项目在规划和运营实践中长期缺乏PdPE,这反映了一种动态的、多方面的无知。关于规划实践,作者的文献分析证明了PdPE的趋势,从早期的缺乏(这可能表明一些自然或真正的无知)到后来不同程度或形式的弱包容。关于这种包容性,作者发现战略无知发挥了实质性作用,涉及公共部门和私人合作伙伴的“故意工程”。访谈结果表明,PdPE缺乏清晰的认识,在PPP实践中发展不足,这些不足再次表明了自然和战略上的无知。原创性/价值作者借鉴了无知社会学对-à-vis会计在购买力平价背景下的缺席和模糊性,有助于研究不足的领域。
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