The evolution of control mechanisms

Authors

  • Dorra Skander University of Quebec in Trois Rivieres (UQTR) Canada
  • Lise Préfontaine University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) Canada

Keywords:

PPP, international project, formal control, social control, case study

Abstract

Whether for bi-lateral or multi-lateral joint venturesor for public and private partnerships (PPP), control helps parties form strategicalliances and work together on a unique project while protecting their own identityand goals. Even though most researchers consider formal control such ascontracts, governance mechanisms, budgets, schedules, and other projectmanagement tools, few encompass informal or social control. This study takesinto account both types of control and aims to describe the evolution of formaland social control mechanisms in an international PPP project. An in depth casestudy of a concession project in a European airport was performed and includesall partners in this Euro-Canadian consortium. Results suggest that fromfrequent and repetitive interaction between partners emerges a social control thatprogressively takes more importance in the management of the project. This isnot to say that formal control mechanisms first put forward are forgotten butrather that they are the foundation of all inter-organizational collaboration.

Author Biographies

  • Dorra Skander, University of Quebec in Trois Rivieres (UQTR) Canada

    Dorra skander is a professor of Management in the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivieres. She specializes in international management, public reengineering process and new public management reforms. She is currently interested in mechanisms for encouraging collaboration among diverse interests in international strategies of public-private partnerships. Professor Skander has presented several academic papers at prestigious international conferences. With co-authors, she also published articles in leading journal of the field including the Canadian Public Administration Review and the Revue Française d’Administration Publique.

  • Lise Préfontaine, University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM) Canada

    Lise Préfontaine is associate professor in project management in the Management and Technology Department in the Business School of University of Quebec at Montreal. She has previously directed different programs: Research MBA, graduated programs in Project Management and Doctoral program in Administrative Sciences. Her research interests center on technology management, SMEs and Public and Private Partnerships.

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Published

2022-05-20

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