An asymmetric learning in complex public-private project

This article discusses the results of a 2008 research paper on the learning curves of government clients and private contractors relative to long-term capital projects. The research was based on data gathered for less than 5 years of the 30-year contract periods of two Great Britain private finance initiative (PFI) hospital structures. The paper reveals that private contractors are better equipped to maintain strategic capabilities in the long run than the government sector.