Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) in ASEAN: a systematic review of implementation and management challenges

Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are inherently complex and time-consuming due to their structural and operational intricacies. Collaboration between public and private entities introduces challenges related to role clarity, performance expectations, and stakeholder engagement, particularly as traditional government managerial roles evolve to accommodate PPP frameworks. Despite extensive research on the structural dynamics of PPPs, there remains limited understanding of the issues and challenges associated with their implementation and management across different regional contexts. Accordingly, this study addresses the following research question: What implementation and management challenges of Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs) are reported in the literature in ASEAN countries? Following the PRISMA 2020 protocol, this systematic literature review examines empirical studies sourced from Scopus and Web of Science, published between 2020 and 2024. A structured screening and selection process was conducted, followed by qualitative thematic synthesis of the included studies. The methodological quality of the selected articles was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) to ensure the reliability of the evidence base. Using a combination of database filtering and qualitative analysis, 20 studies were identified and analyzed, leading to the identification of seven key themes. These themes primarily reflect challenges experienced at the individual and organizational levels of PPP management, while also highlighting the influence of broader institutional and contextual factors. The findings indicate that these challenges are interrelated, with certain factors influencing or reinforcing others. This review synthesizes current evidence on PPP implementation challenges in the ASEAN context and provides a foundation for future empirical research and policy discussions on strengthening PPP management practices.