Business leadership coalitions and public-private partnerships in American cities: A business perspective on regime theory

This article strives to deepen our understanding of the nature and role of businesses and Business Leadership Coalitions (BLCs) in public-private partnerships (PPPs) and in the formation and operation of urban governance regimes in major American cities. Our research reveals a greater heterogeneity and diversity of engagement and partnering types than is generally recognized in traditional regime typologies. An engagement portfolio framework for analyzing civic activism is proposed to encompass the diverse motives, activities, and partnering configurations exhibited by businesses. The findings suggest the need for changes in regime theory frameworks to capture the full richness and realities of business sector participation in PPPs.