The institutional challenges of public-private partnerships (PPPs) in transition economies: lessons from Kosovo

Although infrastructure public-private partnerships (PPPs) have become increasingly popular globally, they face their own institutional challenges in transition economies. This paper highlights some of these challenges by examining the (in)formal factors affecting Kosovo's first PPP in the waste management sector, Ecohigjiena sh.p.k. Drawing upon semi-structured interviews with executives, senior managers, and administrative personnel from Ecohigjiena sh.p.k, the Tax Administration of Kosovo (TAK), and the municipality of Gjilan, the case analysis shows the PPP ultimately faced insurmountable internal and external difficulties, including low levels of professionalism, challenging legal frameworks, poor communication/trust between partners, and inadequate enforcement of regulations.