Conceptualising the relationship between public-private partnerships (PPPs) and business process reeingineering (BPR) : the environmental landscaping experience : an illustration of the solutions PPP could offer to current public sector reengineering needs

Abstract

This thesis sets out to theorise the relationship between Public-Private Partnerships and Business Process Reengineering. The scope of which is to delve deeper into these relatively unknown concepts and arrive to the resultant relationship between the two. The purpose of formalising this relationship is to aid in assessing the adequacy of using the PPP tool to serve current public sector reengineering needs.

The research methods adopted were mainly two-pronged. First a thorough literature evaluation was conducted; this was then followed by an empirical study of one of the first PPPs in Malta. Although the empirical study encompassed limitations by virtue of its size, nature and novelty, it was still possible to reach important conclusions.

The PPP tool could be intrinsically considered a BPR tool in itself, since it revamps the way Government conducts business. It was concluded, that the relationship between PPP and BPR can be conceptualised as an ideal medium through which BPR can be channelled to improve operations in under-performing government departments.

Inefficiency, due to mismanagement, has always been an issue in the public sector, more so now due to budget deficits. This is even more meaningful when one considers the fact that the Maltese Government is presently directing its attention to the issue with new found determination. This study is of significance to current as well as future government reforms, which will certainly occur since the only constant thing is change.