Public-Private Partnership and Circular Economy—What Croatian Students Learn at University

Abstract

The global economy has been hit by crises in recent decades and the COVID-19 pandemic has contributed to great uncertainty in the possibility of a lasting recovery and an energy transition that will enable sustainable green growth. Budgetary constraints impede the regular delivery of public services, especially in developing countries. Energy efficiency and sustainable economic growth in Croatia can be improved with public-partnership models providing public services. However, this concept is often considered as not appropriate due to many misconceptions in public opinion. We analysed a survey of almost 1500 Croatian students with the aim of verifying the importance of formal education in the recognition of realistic aspects of PPP among the population, which represents important social capital. In comparison to other students, students who have been taught about public-private partnership models at university are more likely to recognise certain misconceptions about public-private partnerships and are more likely to think that it is possible to successfully implement such projects in Croatia. Compared with others, students in the field of energy have shown a greater tendency to apply models of public-private partnership in the energy sector, even though these concern the exploitation of natural resources where there is a traditional tendency to protect the autonomy of public governance. Compared to their male colleagues, female students are more prone to misconceptions about PPPs and are less supportive of private management of public infrastructure.

A critical review of public–private partnerships in the COVID-19 pandemic: key themes and future research agenda

“…Bogovac et al. (2021) explained that PPP models have made substantial potential to improve the energy sector's transition to a circular clean energy.…”

“…4.3.6 Transition to sustainable circular economy. Bogovac et al (2021) explained that PPP models have made substantial potential to improve the energy sector's transition to a circular clean energy. However, private sector involvement and control of the energy supply are not popular in most countries because of the misconceptions relating to PPPs and profit-seeking exploitations in the public space by private entities.…”

Barriers to Efficient Knowledge Transfer for a Holistic Circular Economy: Insights towards Green Job Developments and Training for Young Professionals

“…The former identified ECE's limitations, such as the need to insert it not just in the realm of sustainable development, but to also express the limitations of its transition openly in specific courses, such as greenwashing in CE [48,49]. Furthermore, it is crucial not only to include firms, thus the private sector, to increase the understanding of CE application-via ECE-but to provide an understanding of the relationship between private and public sectors, and why and how such partnerships are necessary for the application of CE strategies, aiming to protect social capital [50].…”