Stakeholder-Associated Risks and Their Interactions in PPP Projects: Social Network Analysis of a Water Purification and Sewage Treatment Project in China

As a result of complex contractual relationships, multiple stakeholders with different interests are involved in public-private partnership (PPP) projects. Compared to traditional models, PPP projects have more uncertainty. This study integrated stakeholders and risk factors in PPP projects from a network perspective to better determine how to control risks. Using social network analysis (SNA), a case study was conducted to identify the critical risk factors, and mitigation actions are proposed. The results indicated that, compared to other stakeholders, local governments play the most important role in PPP projects. Managers should therefore pay more attention to political and legal risk factors and develop reasonable risk-sharing plans. This study expands PPP risk research from the individual level to the network level and provides a visualized, innovative research paradigm for PPP risk analysis. The results can also be used by project managers for decision-making, risk management, and other processes, thus helping to achieve the sustainable management of PPP projects.

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