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Review of Studies on Sustainability of Public‐Private Partnership Projects: A Bibliometric Analysis

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  • Haytham Besaiso
  • Moheeb Abualqumboz
  • Xinyue Cheng

Abstract

Research on public‐private partnerships (PPP) projects has increasingly focused on their sustainability, reflecting the growing global emphasis on sustainable development. This study presents a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of literature on the sustainability of PPP projects, aiming to map the intellectual structure, key themes and emerging trends in the field. Using the Web of Science (WoS) database, 618 peer‐reviewed articles and reviews published between 1999 and 2023 were analysed through performance analysis and science mapping techniques via CiteSpace and Biblioshiny. The findings reveal a sharp increase in publications post‐2013, driven by global sustainability agendas. Dominant research themes include governance, performance, management and developing country contexts, while emerging trends point to project‐level sustainability applications, economic and financial sustainability and the operationalisation of sustainability metrics. Despite growing scholarly attention, the analysis identifies gaps such as limited integration of environmental and social dimensions, lack of regional differentiation and thematic fragmentation. This study offers a valuable roadmap for researchers and practitioners aiming to advance sustainable development through PPPs and proposes directions for future inquiry.

Suggested Citation

  • Haytham Besaiso & Moheeb Abualqumboz & Xinyue Cheng, 2025. "Review of Studies on Sustainability of Public‐Private Partnership Projects: A Bibliometric Analysis," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 33(S1), pages 1551-1575, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:33:y:2025:i:s1:p:1551-1575
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.70025
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