Public Private Partnerships: Identifying Practical Issues for an Accounting Research Agenda

Abstract

This article provides a structured framework for research into the accounting implications of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs). PPPs worldwide have taken on increasing significance as a tool that governments can use to develop infrastructure and for the delivery of services. Given the minimal coverage in the literature of the Victorian State Government experience to date regarding the efficacy of PPPs, this report establishes a number of parameters from which academics can conduct research into this strategy and, moreover, make policy recommendations based on those findings. Accounting principles are used to identify whether a PPP will lead to value for money. Consequently, a model is developed to define potential areas of investigation, from which a series of research questions are posed. This is important because, public sector managers need to be aware of the failures and the success stories of particular PPP projects so that lessons can be learned from these experiences. This would inform government officials of any necessary reforms that need to be undertaken for future PPPs.