Abstract
Partnerships between the public sector and private sector are considered to be important foundations for successful local economic development (LED) planning. This article analyses the multiple challenges that need to be addressed in forging viable LED partnerships between the public sector and private sector in South Africa. The findings are examined from a national survey conducted in 2009 with 30 business chamber associations across South Africa. The results point to markedly differing perceptions of the private sector and local government towards LED, questions of trust and mistrust between private sector and the public sector, and highlight the imperative for greater dialogue in order to provide the foundations for local partnerships for promoting LED.
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Acknowledgements
This research would not have been possible without the assistance of the AHI and support from Stef Coetzee and German Technical Cooperation. The work of Andries de Beer in undertaking the interviews and of Jayne Rogerson in data processing is acknowledged. Thanks are due also to several persons who commented critically on the research material, most importantly Gabriele Trah, Stef Coetzee, and Wolfgang Thomas. Usual disclaimers apply.
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An erratum to this article can be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s12132-010-9100-y
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Rogerson, C.M. In Search of Public Sector–Private Sector Partnerships for Local Economic Development in South Africa. Urban Forum 21, 441–456 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-009-9074-9
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12132-009-9074-9