Performance of private-public partnership projects: the influence of key determinants

The success or failure of private-public partnership (PPP) projects in Belt and Road Initiative countries directly impacts infrastructure development and plays a crucial role in national economic growth and UN Sustainable Development Goal 17. This research selected five project specific indicators and three country risk indicators to conduct an empirical analysis using a logistic regression model and moderation effects. Data were sourced from the World Bank and the International Country Risk Guide by the U.S. International Reports Group. The results indicate that multilateral support positively and significantly influences project performance, while investment negatively and significantly influences project performance. Political risk, economic risk, and financial risk negatively impact project performance. In addition, these three types of country risks negatively moderate the effect of project’s own factors on the performance of PPP projects. To rephrase, country risks exacerbate the failure of project’s own factors on project performance. This research further suggests to policy makers to control the scale of investment and establish a risk platform, and to gain a deeper understanding of the host country’s political differences, economic conditions, and policy support. Thus, improving the performance of PPP projects will contribute to the economic development of the Belt and Road Initiative countries.