Public-Private Collaboration Led by Private Organizations in Combating Crises: Evidence From China's Fighting Against COVID-19

Public-private collaborations have the potential to effectively respond to extreme events. However, traditional public-private collaborations that are usually led by governmental actors often encounter significant difficulties in a crisis. Based on a case study of a public-private collaboration dealing with COVID-19 in China, we explore how a private actor emerges as a leader to initiate and manage a public-private collaboration in the crisis, and how stakeholders in this collaboration work together to effectively handle the crisis. The findings indicate critical characteristics and contingencies when a private actor leads the cross-sector collaboration to effectively cope with uncertainties and deliver public services in crisis time.

Automated summary

The study found that private sector emerging as a leader in crisis and playing a key role in public-private collaborations; during a crisis, stakeholders in the collaboration work together effectively to handle the crisis.