Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a systematic literature review of studies addressing relational quality in public–private partnerships (PPPs). The ambition of this study is twofold: first, to present more clarity regarding the definition of the concept. Second, to develop a framework that explains the antecedents, characteristics and outcomes of relational quality in PPPs.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 99 academic articles, which were analyzed and coded on the definition, characteristics, antecedents and outcomes of relational quality.

Findings

The study shows that trust, communication, commitment, openness and reciprocity are considered core aspects of the concept. The analysis further identifies important antecedents (e.g. shared values, leadership) and outcomes (performance, innovation) of relational quality in PPPs. The findings result in the development of a framework on relational quality in PPPs to be used for further research.

Research limitations/implications

The findings indicate that relational quality is valuable for the functioning of PPPs, but the current focus of this review excludes studies addressing relational quality in other types of collaboration and public–private exchange. The lessons from these research fields might further improve people’s understanding of relational quality.

Practical implications

Practitioners should pay attention to relational quality in long-term PPPs. Among others, (process) management activities might contribute to relational quality as it stimulates communication and openness.

Originality/value

The presented framework explaining antecedents, characteristics and outcomes of relational quality allows for more structured use of this concept in future research.

中文翻译：

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公私伙伴关系中的关系质量：了解基于合同的交流中的社会关系

目的

本文的目的是对解决公私合作伙伴关系 (PPP) 中关系质量的研究进行系统的文献回顾。这项研究的目标有两个：首先，更清楚地说明概念的定义。其次，开发一个框架来解释 PPP 中关系质量的前因、特征和结果。

设计/方法/途径

对 99 篇学术文章的系统文献综述，对关系质量的定义、特征、前因和结果进行了分析和编码。

发现

研究表明，信任、沟通、承诺、开放和互惠被认为是该概念的核心方面。该分析进一步确定了 PPP 中关系质量的重要前因（例如共享价值观、领导力）和结果（绩效、创新）。研究结果导致了 PPP 关系质量框架的发展，可用于进一步研究。

研究局限性/影响

研究结果表明，关系质量对 PPP 的运作很有价值，但本次审查目前的重点排除了解决其他类型合作和公私交流中关系质量的研究。这些研究领域的经验教训可能会进一步提高人们对关系质量的理解。

实际影响

从业者应注意长期 PPP 中的关系质量。其中，（过程）管理活动可能有助于提高关系质量，因为它会刺激沟通和开放。

原创性/价值

所提出的解释关系质量的前因、特征和结果的框架允许在未来的研究中更结构化地使用这一概念。