Community engagement, commitment and sustainability of public–private partnership projects

PurposeThis study aims to examine the association between community engagement, community commitment and sustainability of public–private partnership (PPP) projects in Uganda.Design/methodology/approachThis study adopted a cross-sectional and quantitative approach. Data were collected using a questionnaire from 42 PPP projects in Uganda.FindingsThe study found that community engagement and commitment are all positively and significantly associated with the sustainability of PPP projects in Uganda. Results also show that community commitment mediates community engagement and project sustainability.Research limitations/implicationsThe study results imply that for sustainability to be achieved, communities must be engaged in project activities such as planning, design and implementation to boost their commitment to project sustainability.Originality/valueThe sustainability of PPP projects is an emerging phenomenon. This paper contributes to scanty literature on ensuring the sustainability of PPP projects from a developing country’s perspective.