Course Title:    Professional Doctorate in Business Administration

Thesis Title:     Public-Private Partnerships in Overseas Development Assistance: the Development of a Theory on PPP Establishment Decision-Making.

Supervisors:    Assoc Prof Deborah Blackman & Dr Christopher Aulich

Project Abstract:

Public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become increasingly common in the delivery of Official Development Assistance Programs (ODA) in a number of sectors across a range of donor agencies. Much has been written in the general literature about PPPs in ODA, however most of this literature has resulted from non-technical reports and studies based on descriptions of existing models or the views and opinions of the authors. There is a general lack of substantial empirical studies aimed at providing conceptual explanations of the management and processes behind the design, formation and operation of PPPs. Gaps in the existing body of knowledge include critical analysis of PPP success and failure, evaluation of performance and management processes associated with the different stages of PPP development and implementation. This study aims to add to the body of literature on the management process involved in PPPs in ODA. Grounded theory methodology will be used to answer the research questions:

(i) what are the main concerns of the partners responsible for the establishment of PPPs in ODA and

(ii) what are their social and decision making processes that key managers use to resolve these concerns during the establishment of PPPs.

Biography:

Les Baxter is currently Research Program Manager (Horticulture) with the Australian Government overseas development assistance agency ACIAR (The Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research). Prior to this he held General Manager positions with the Australian Development Contractors, IDP Education Australia and Illawarra Technology Corporation, implementing international education development projects on behalf of donor agencies such as AusAID. He also has over twenty years experience in horticultural crop research and development, extension and industry development working in both the private and public sectors. Les holds an honours Degree in Applied Science from the Queensland Agricultural College (University of Queensland, Gatton), a Masters Degree in Agricultural Science from the University of Queensland and a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Southern Cross University. He is currently enrolled in the DBA programme at the University of Canberra.