Abstract

Environmental protection PPP projects (EP-PPP) are subject to uncertainty during the project cycle, setting flexible project contract terms in their contracts can help establish and maintain an effective partnership. This article aims to reveal the contract flexibility mechanism of EP-PPP projects by studying the relationship between flexible contract term setting methods and their effects. Questionnaires, case studies and structural equation modeling (SEM) are applied to conduct quantitative analysis. The research shows that although some flexible terms have been adopted in current EP-PPP contracts, there is still much room for improvement. In order to deal with unforeseen risks and challenges, it is necessary to consider: (1) List uncertainties as much as possible and set up response methods accordingly; (2) Guarantee a certain degree of flexibility in uncertainty response methods; (3) Give the project itself a certain degree of autonomous response power; (4) Leave plenty space for changes that may be needed in the future. The study results can help project practitioners enhance their understanding of flexible contract terms and help to promote contract flexibility in EP-PPP projects in a context-specific manner, thereby facilitating project success.

摘要

环保PPP项目（EP-PPP）在项目周期中存在不确定性，在合同中设定灵活的项目合同条款有助于建立和维持有效的合作伙伴关系。本文旨在通过研究灵活合同条款设定方式及其效果之间的关系，揭示EP-PPP项目的合同灵活性机制。采用问卷调查、案例研究和结构方程模型（SEM）进行定量分析。研究表明，虽然现行EP-PPP合同中采用了一些灵活的条款，但仍有很大的改进空间。为了应对不可预见的风险和挑战，需要考虑：（1）尽可能列出不确定性并制定相应的应对方法；(2)保证不确定性响应方法有一定的灵活性；（3）赋予项目本身一定程度的自主响应权；(4)为将来可能需要的改变留出足够的空间。研究结果可以帮助项目从业者增强对灵活合同条款的理解，有助于因地制宜地促进EP-PPP项目的合同灵活性，从而促进项目的成功。