eThesis - Kauppakorkeakoulun sähköiset gradut

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AALTO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS ABSTRACT

International Business Master’s Thesis May 2012

Iida Korhonen

Engagement of Cities in European Union Public-Private Partnerships

Objectives of the Study

Stakeholder engagement has been scarcely researched from the point of view of engaging cities in public-private partnerships. The objective of the study is to find, from the viewpoint of the facilitator, applicable ways to engage cities in European Union public-private partnerships. In addition, the motives of cities to participate in the partnerships are investigated. This thesis was undertaken due to a managerial problem and interest at Centre of Knowledge and Innovation Research (CKIR), a unit of Aalto University School of Economics, which is the facilitator of a public-private partnership within the 7th European Union Framework Programme.

Methodology

Qualitative case study method was chosen as the most eligible method to explore the aims of the study. The objectives were met through ten face-to-face or phone interviews, of which five were conducted with experts and five with representatives of European cities. Additionally, as the study was conducted at premises of CKIR, observation was used as a supporting data collection method.

Findings and Conclusion

The thesis is based on analysis of previous literature and the results of the study. The empirical findings and academic literature suggest that engaging cities in European Union public private partnerships should be based on existing relationships and networks, concrete needs of the cities, continuous interaction and dialogue, and process-oriented management.

Moreover, cities can be applicably engaged in European Union public-private partnerships, when they have a strategic interest in the results of the partnership. Other motives of cities to participate the partnerships are networks, learning and knowledge, monetary benefits, image, and benchmarking.

Keywords: Public-Private Partnership, European Union, City, Stakeholder, Engagement