Analyzing Trends and Emerging Issues in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Projects in Construction: A Bibliometric Study

This study analyzes trends and emerging issues in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects within the construction industry using a bibliometric approach. Data were collected from the Scopus database, encompassing 1516 documents published between 2010 and 2024. Using VOSviewer, we conducted bibliometric coupling, clustering, and co-citation network analysis. The results reveal a significant increase in PPP-related research publications, indicating growing global interest. A notable finding is the substantial contribution of China to PPP research, with many highly cited papers and influential authors, reflecting the country’s significant research output and strong focus on PPP investments; the keyword “China” frequently appears in our analysis, emphasizing its leading role. Key research themes identified include project management, financial investments, risk assessment, mergers and acquisitions, and sustainable development. Other major contributors to PPP research include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, highlighting the importance of international collaboration. The findings provide valuable insights for researchers and practitioners, offering a comprehensive understanding of current trends and future research directions in PPP projects. This study underscores the importance of international collaboration and highlights the need for continued research into key areas such as sustainable practices and advanced risk management strategies in PPP initiatives.