Public–private partnership (PPP) has been proposed by the United Nations as a tool for Sustainable Development Goals. The perceptions and tendencies of literatures on this concept have, however, not yet been fully investigated. This research fills the perceived gap, by reviewing sustainability‐oriented PPP studies, to better understand the relationship between PPP and sustainable development. A bottom‐up approach is adopted, with the help of a purposely designed database. The concept and development stages of sustainability‐oriented PPP are examined. The research status of sustainability‐oriented PPP is analysed. The increasing popularity of sustainability‐oriented PPP studies is, to a degree, associated with policies of the key global players in PPP. Research gaps and future research trends are suggested. This research contributes to the body of knowledge of sustainability‐oriented PPP and can help researchers and practitioners in better understanding the status, gaps and direction of future efforts regarding sustainability‐oriented PPP.

No abstract

The management role of the public sector in public–private partnership PPP infrastructure projects has been extensively expanded to the whole lifecycle rather than in the traditional infrastructure projects. The performance of the public sector in a PPP is the key for the PPP to achieve sustainability; however, there is a lack of research on the whole lifecycle management efficiency of the public sector in a PPP. This research aims to examine the governance role of the public sector in PPP projects, and therefore evaluate their whole lifecycle management efficiency. An evaluation framework is developed through the lens of governmentality to evaluate the performance of the public sector. Multiple case studies on PPP infrastructure projects in China have identified loopholes during the whole lifecycle of a PPP at the local governmental level. On the basis of the findings of case studies, a conceptual model is proposed to demonstrate ways for the public sector to improve efficiency through integrated governance of PPP projects. The research findings benefit both the central government in terms of evaluation and decision making and the local government by improving their efficiency in PPP infrastructure projects for the purpose of achieving sustainability. According to the findings, policy strategies are provided for the central government on how to further regulate the PPP market and address the loopholes, including further standardizing regulations and instruction, providing unified quantitative calculation or measurement tools, training, and education for the public sector to integrate whole lifecycle project management, and quality control of consultancy for the PPP infrastructure projects.