A Comparative Analysis of Stakeholder Power Dynamics in Public Sector Projects: A Cross-Sector Examination of Infrastructure, Healthcare, and Renewable Energy Projects in Pakistan and Canada

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🔬研究者:Stakeholder power dynamics framework for cross-sector public projects, applicable to renewable energy governance research.

🏢実務担当者:Insights for managing stakeholder influence in infrastructure and renewable projects, enhancing collaborative governance.

🏛政策担当者:Guidance on strengthening institutional capacity and collaborative governance for sustainable public projects.

Increasing project complexity and the growing reliance on cross-sector collaboration have intensified the importance of understanding stakeholder power dynamics in public sector projects. Despite extensive research on stakeholder management, limited qualitative evidence exists regarding how stakeholder influence evolves across different sectors and institutional environments. This study comparatively explores stakeholder power dynamics in infrastructure, healthcare, and renewable energy projects in Pakistan and Canada. Guided by Stakeholder Theory and Collaborative Governance Theory, the research employed a qualitative comparative multiple-case study design. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 16 senior professionals, including government officials, project managers, healthcare administrators, engineers, renewable energy specialists, and policy advisors. The interview data were analysed using thematic analysis to identify recurring patterns and contextual insights. The findings reveal five major themes: unequal distribution of stakeholder power, collaborative governance as a driver of institutional coordination, institutional capacity as a determinant of stakeholder influence, trust and transparency as foundations of long-term collaboration, and adaptive governance for sustainable project implementation. The comparative analysis demonstrates that while governments remain central actors, stakeholder influence increasingly depends on expertise, legitimacy, collaboration, and institutional capacity rather than formal authority alone. The study proposes a conceptual framework that advances the understanding of stakeholder governance across diverse public sector contexts and provides practical guidance for policymakers and project managers seeking to strengthen collaborative governance and improve sustainable project outcomes. References Abrar, K., & Amjad, S. I. (2026). 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