A Conceptual Framework for Building a Homegrown Public-Private Partnership Platform to Deliver Public Information Services in Developing Economies

Abstract

This is a work in progress research paper which proposes to investigate and exploit the possibilities and features of partnership efforts to promote the potential of creating a partnership between the public and private sectors of developing economies. Private firms in particular are now becoming more flexible organizations compared to that of public ones. It has now become a challenge for the public sector to achieve its public servicing goals without harnessing the possibilities of partnerships with the private firms. Creating such Public–Private Partnership (PPP) is also a complex phenomenon with many dimensions. Conceptually, PPP is a mode of implementing citizen services, based on the use of Information Communication Technologies (ICTs). Recognizing this fact, governments in developing economies are also investing a lot to achieve the delivery of public information services. Studies, however, indicate that most of these implemented initiatives have failed and there is a gap in Information Systems (IS) literature regarding the role of PPPs as a mechanism to assure proper delivery of public information services. This study, therefore, is aimed at investigating the possibilities and features of partnership efforts to promote the potential of cooperation between the public and private sectors of the developing economies to assure success of PPP initiatives. This study will employ a qualitative case study method which will be conducted in an Ethiopian PPP context incorporating a total of four active public and one active private stakeholder. Two potential theories namely Stakeholder Theory and Actor-Network Theory will be used as a guiding theoretical framework to conduct this research. The outcome of this research can be used by policy makers and practitioners as a tool to assess the role and success of PPP initiatives in developing economies.