Obstacles to Public and Nongovernmental Collaboration in BOT Freeway Projects in Iran

The present study aims at presenting the pathological model of the process of collaboration between the public and nongovernmental sectors as one of the key factors affecting project performance utilizing multi-case research method as well as the grounded theory for data analysis. This research tries to find quality partnerships for implementing projects that are delivered by BOT. These drivers will include the causal conditions, structures, processes, and mechanisms of actors involved in public-private partnerships. In this regard, at first step, by reviewing the literature, the approach of developed and developing countries, and the way, in which, the parties engage in different contexts are investigated.Then, the required data is collected to be used in the grounded theory by referring to the successful and unsuccessful cases in collaboration between the governmental and nongovernmental sections, and conducting interviews with different individuals from different levels of management from both sectors, attending meetings of the committee of investment companies in the construction of Iranian freeways and memorization from our observations of how the dialogue, behavior and interaction of the parties. Then, by analyzing the acquired data, the Pathology Model of the collaborative process between public sector and non-governmental sector in BOT freeway projects is developed.According the obtained results in this study, the lack of respect, risk coverage, and joint decision making constitute the phenomenon of undesirable partnership. Finally, while comparing this research findings with those existing in the literature, executive suggestions are made to reduce challenges and promote existing collaborative efforts.