Explication of the concept of «public-private partnership» in public administration theory

In the current context of decentralization, there is an urgent need for structural change and closer interaction between public authorities, private business and civil society institutions. To satisfy social and economic needs of the region by means of pooling public and private sector resources is possible through public-private partnerships. The purpose of the study is to clarify the theory, to reveal the essence of the concept of "public-private partnership" as a category of public administration. In order to achieve this goal, the theoretical aspects of defining the concept of “public-private partnership” at different levels of generalization have been explored. It has been proved that the scientific paradigm of the category “public-private partnership” is in its infancy. The lack of unified approach to the nature of the studied category is emphasized. The comparative analysis of the points of view of domestic and foreign scientists on the definitions of "public-private partnership" and "public-private partnership" has been carried out. Based on the transdisciplinary approach, the dialectical interrelation of the categories has been substantiated, the place and role of public-private partnership in public administration has been determined. Based on the generalization of the categories proposed by modern researchers, three methodological approaches to the definition of the studied category are proposed. Emphasis is placed on the author's vision of the category of “public-private partnership” as a multifunctional concept that integrates paradigmatic, institutional and system-functional approaches. It is promising to search for the increase of institutional capacity of government, private business and civil society institutions to form and implement public-private partnership projects. Further research should focus on international practices of managing territories and communities, as well as implementation of socially significant projects on the basis of partnership between government, business and the public.