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
Abstract
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). Gamified advertising in the metaverse: How Pakistani brands can leverage virtual experiences for customer engagement. Social Science Review Archives, 4(1), 6022–6041. Ali, G. A. (2026). Investigating the perceived contribution of migrant communities to economic diversification, competitiveness and development beyond remittance inflows. Social Science Review Archives, 4(2), 2348–2356. Ali, G. A., & Rasheed, M. (2026a). Exploring the macroeconomic determinants of private non-guaranteed external debt in low- and middle-income countries. Advance Journal of Econometrics and Finance, 4(2), 1159–1174. Ali, G. A., & Rasheed, M. (2026b). Investigating the drivers of escalating external debt in highly debt-distressed nations using appropriate econometric techniques. ACADEMIA International Journal for Social Sciences, 5(3, Special Issue 9), 463–485. Ashraf, N., Arzu, F., Abrar, K., & Anwar, M. (2025). Narratives of SMEs on access to finance: Barriers and opportunities in Pakistan’s banking sector. The Critical Review of Social Sciences Studies, 3(4), 262–277. Benitez, I. B. (2026). Policy and technological synergies for climate-resilient power systems in Asia. In 2026 International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Computer, Data Sciences and Applications (ACDSA) (pp. 1–8). IEEE. Bhatti, M. A. A., Cheema, A. T., & Baig, M. H. G. (2026). Integrating sustainability into project management practices: Experiences of managers in infrastructure projects. Social Science Review Archives, 4(1), 3660–3680. Fontana, E., Heuer, M., & Koep, L. (2021). Cross-sector collaboration and nonprofit boundary work for female workers in developing countries: Evidence from Bangladesh. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 12(6), 1178–1207. https://doi.org/10.1108/SAMPJ-08-2020-0303 Gao, J., Ye, C. X., Zhao, S., Li, J. Y., Geng, Y. Q., & Yan, Y. (2025). Research frontiers and trends in sustainable public cooperation: A bibliometric analysis from 2001 to 2024. Applied Ecology and Environmental Research, 23(5), 10075–10119. George, A. S. (2026). Orbital mirrors and earthly needs: A multidimensional analysis of space-based sunlight redirection as a transformative infrastructure technology. Partners Universal International Innovation Journal, 4(2), 24–43. Gouda, A. (2026). Building bridges: Corporate collaborations as catalysts for NGO financial sustainability (Doctoral dissertation). Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Bonn. Gould, C. F., Gill-Wiehl, A., Pillarisetti, A., Kwong, L. H., Kammen, D. M., & Clasen, T. (2026). Priorities and opportunities for clean energy transitions to advance health in low-income and middle-income countries. The Lancet Global Health, 14(4), e640–e652. Gray, B., & Purdy, J. (2018). Collaborating for our future: Multistakeholder partnerships for solving complex problems. Oxford University Press. Hipsher, S. A. (2021). Cross-sector partnerships: Role toward achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In Partnerships for the Goals (pp. 240–248). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-70952-5_16 Imtiaz, A., Khan, S. S., & Ullah, I. (2026). Peacebuilding narratives in conflict zones: Insights from NGOs working in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Social Science Review Archives, 4(1), 5462–5482. Islam, S. (2025). A systematic review of public budgeting strategies in developing economies: Tools for transparent fiscal governance. American Journal of Advanced Technology and Engineering Solutions, 1(1), 602–635. Khan, H. A., Mahmood, A., Bibi, K., Abrar, K., & Arif, S. N. (2026). A vision for digital education: A comparative exploration of government strategies for ICT and AI integration in Pakistan and Malaysia. Research Journal for Social Affairs, 4(3, Special Issue 5), 205–214. Khan, M., Arzu, F., Amjad, S. I., Mahmood, A., & Abrar, K. (2026). Exploring how fintech entrepreneurs build consumer trust in emerging markets amid low financial literacy and high technological skepticism challenges adoption rates. Bulletin of Management Review, 3(2), 524–552. Khan, N. U., & Han, H. (2023). Linking local collaborative governance and public service delivery: Mediating role of institutional capacity building. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 10, Article 1. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-023-01583-0 Khan, R. A. S., Abrar, K., Parveen, S., Bhurgri, S. S., & Panhwar, A. J. (2026). Integrating generative AI into software development lifecycles: A comparative qualitative study of engineering practices in Pakistan and the USA. The Asian Bulletin of Big Data Management, 6(1), 329–345. Kolk, A., & Lenfant, F. (2013). Multinationals, CSR and partnerships in Central African conflict countries. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, 20(1), 43–54. https://doi.org/10.1002/csr.1277 Kritz, J. (2017). A realist systematic review of cross-sector collaboration implementation in developing countries & mediation as a useful instrument. Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Law Journal, 17, 369–410. Mahajan, R., Kumar, S., Lim, W. M., & Sareen, M. (2024). The role of business and management in driving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Current insights and future directions from a systematic review. Business Strategy and the Environment, 33(5), 4493–4529. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3863 Malik, S., & Nurunnabi, M. (2024). Stakeholders’ perspective on collaboration barriers in low-income housing provision: A case study from Pakistan. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 11, Article 104. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-02666-2 Maqbool, R., & Sridhar, H. (2024). Governing public–private partnerships of sustainable construction projects in an opportunistic setting. Project Management Journal, 55(1), 86–101. https://doi.org/10.1177/87569728231210361 Maurrasse, D. (2013). Strategic public private partnerships: Innovation and development. Edward Elgar Publishing. Mousavi, A., Ardalan, A., Takian, A., Naddafi, K., & Mesdaghinia, A. (2025). A policy context and process analysis to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change in the health system of Iran. BMC Public Health, 25, 893. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-21979-2 Nour, S., & Arbussà, A. (2026). Green hydrogen and business model innovation: Revolutionizing the energy sector and facilitating cross-sector collaboration. International Journal of Energy Sector Management, 20(4), 1024–1047. Nwala, K. C., Kabeyi, M. J. B., & Olanrewaju, O. A. (2025). A visual and strategic framework for integrated renewable energy systems: Bridging technological, economic, environmental, social, and regulatory dimensions. Energies, 18(20), 5468. https://doi.org/10.3390/en18205468 Nwokediegwu, Z. Q. S., Ibekwe, K. I., Ilojianya, V. I., Etukudoh, E. A., & Ayorinde, O. B. (2024). Renewable energy technologies in engineering: A review of current developments and future prospects. Engineering Science & Technology Journal, 5(2), 367–384. O’Sullivan, S. L., & Mazutis, D. (2025). The role of power dynamics in cross-sector partnerships for sustainable socio-ecological system transformation. Sustainability, 17(16), 7306. https://doi.org/10.3390/su17167306 Offiong, U. P., Szopik-Depczyńska, K., & Ioppolo, G. (2025). FinTech innovations for sustainable development: A comprehensive literature review and future directions. Sustainable Development, 33, 1459–1471. https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.3306 Owoola, W. A., Olaniyo, B. A., Obeka, O. D., Ifeanyi, A. O., Ige, O. B., & Bello, S. F. (2024). Cross-sector collaboration in energy infrastructure development: New models for public–private partnerships in emerging markets. Journal of Scientific Research Archive, 13(1), 2871–2882. Raman, A. V., & Björkman, J. W. (2008). Public–private partnerships in health care in India: Lessons for developing countries. Routledge. Rasheed, M., & Ali, G. A. (2026). Digital technology and economic growth: Empirical evidence from South Asia. International Journal of Social Sciences Bulletin, 4(3), 2129–2151. Rehmat, M. A. R., Hassan, H., Rumaan, M., & Abrar, K. (2025). IT sector transi