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Decisions regarding contractual arrangements and selecting a procurement method are two major aspects of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). Given project ownership as one of the core elements of contractual arrangements, this study employs Binary Logistic Regression (BLR) method to statistically investigate any potential link between project ownership and project size. BLR is a beneficial approach to examine type and significance of the connection between a dependent variable (project ownership) and a set of independent variables (investment size and contract duration). Utilizing a list of PPP projects in Norway, the results indicate that project ownership bears no connection with contract duration. However, the growth of investment size increases the probability of private ownership, except for road construction projects which are public-owned projects with large capital costs. Further studies regarding the implications of project ownership, e.g., risk, sustainability, are highlighted as the future directions in this context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For years the need for road maintenance has been rising in Norway, and the Norwegian Public Road Administration (NPRA) has tried to find a solution. The Valdres model is a project delivery model developed by the NPRA for use in road refurbishment projects to utilize resources more effectively. By using early contractor involvement (ECI), the NPRA combines their own expertise with the contractors' buildability knowledge in the design phase to reduce risk and uncertainty with smarter and cost-reducing solutions. The studied pilot project E16 Fagernes-Øylo is chosen as case for testing the Valdres model. Ten semi-structured interviews with key informants have been carried out together with a document study to fill the knowledge gap regarding the Valdres model. The contractor was procured by a competitive dialogue (CD) before the final zoning plan was settled and has positively impacted on buildability and trust in the design phase. ECI was combined with Target Value Design (TVD) and Integrated Concurrent Engineering (ICE) to integrate lean thinking and enhance value creation in the design phase. This seemed to give fewer conflicts and cost reductions through a streamlined planning process. The studied case has experienced less changes and higher levels of cooperation with working towards the same goal in the construction phase compared to traditional project delivery models. Overall, the Valdres model has so far been a success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a result of globalization, high investment volume in infrastructure projects, and more use of standardization, foreign construction companies are establishing in Norway. The purpose of this paper is to explore the risks of involving foreign contractors and developing suggestions for future projects. In addition to a literature review, two Norwegian bridge projects built by Chines International Contractors studied through a document study and semi-structured interviews with key personnel. The key personnel is from a public project owner, two Chinese construction companies, and subcontractors involved in the two case projects. Some of the risks identified are language barriers, weather conditions, difficulty in managing subcontractors, and different perceptions of safety levels. In the future, project owners should consider preparing the contract documents, handbooks, and standards in both Norwegian and English. If the language risk is managed properly, it influences the other risks as well. Cross projects experience sharing will also help in identifying risks early and taking mitigation measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]