Dublin Core
Title
EVOLUTION OF PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS IN ZIMBABWE'S
STATE UNIVERSITIES
STATE UNIVERSITIES
Creator
CHARLES MASSIMO1
PAUL MAVIMA
JEFFREY KUREBWA
Description
Despite persuasive heuristics and pragmatic promotion for the use of Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)
to infuse dynamism into public sector infrastructure development, little is known about their progress in
Zimbabwe's state universities. This study traces the evolution and validation of PPPs as an alternative
funding option for the development of educational infrastructure in Zimbabwean state universities and
compares it with other traditional funding options. This descriptive qualitative research methodology,
grounded in constructivist research philosophy and bolstered by a multiple case study research design
collected data through in-depth key informant interviews. Nineteen key informant participants were
selected through criteria and critical purposive sampling techniques, while secondary data was sourced
from relevant literature. This study established that there has been a low uptake and implementation
inertia of educational infrastructure PPPs in Zimbabwean state universities since their adoption and
standardization in 2010. Although the concept was introduced back in 1998 and initial PPP frameworks
were developed in 2004, it wasn't until 2010 that serious emphasis was placed on adopting them in
Zimbabwean state universities. Various justifications were identified for the adoption of PPPs in this
sector and PPPs emerged as a viable alternative to traditional funding sources such as the national
budget, institutional funds and loan financing. PPPs were viewed as a sustainable approach that could
help state universities bridge their infrastructure gaps. The study recommends that state universities
adopt a business oriented approach and operate as social enterprises if they are to attract a significant
pool of quality private investors in PPP arrangements.
to infuse dynamism into public sector infrastructure development, little is known about their progress in
Zimbabwe's state universities. This study traces the evolution and validation of PPPs as an alternative
funding option for the development of educational infrastructure in Zimbabwean state universities and
compares it with other traditional funding options. This descriptive qualitative research methodology,
grounded in constructivist research philosophy and bolstered by a multiple case study research design
collected data through in-depth key informant interviews. Nineteen key informant participants were
selected through criteria and critical purposive sampling techniques, while secondary data was sourced
from relevant literature. This study established that there has been a low uptake and implementation
inertia of educational infrastructure PPPs in Zimbabwean state universities since their adoption and
standardization in 2010. Although the concept was introduced back in 1998 and initial PPP frameworks
were developed in 2004, it wasn't until 2010 that serious emphasis was placed on adopting them in
Zimbabwean state universities. Various justifications were identified for the adoption of PPPs in this
sector and PPPs emerged as a viable alternative to traditional funding sources such as the national
budget, institutional funds and loan financing. PPPs were viewed as a sustainable approach that could
help state universities bridge their infrastructure gaps. The study recommends that state universities
adopt a business oriented approach and operate as social enterprises if they are to attract a significant
pool of quality private investors in PPP arrangements.
Publisher
Journal of Public Administration and Policy
Research
Research
Date
2024
Position: 34 (52 views)