Ndandiko, CharlesMumbere, Moses KalengyoWanyama, Peter ObandaMugurusi, Godfrey2026-08-172026-08-172026-08-15Ndandiko, C... et al. (2026). What really drives people-first public-private partnerships adoption? Evidence from resource-constrained settings. Public Organiz Rev. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-026-01037-whttps://doi.org/10.1007/s11115-026-01037-whttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12504/304319 p.This study examines the factors influencing the adoption of People-First Evaluation Methodology (PFEM) in Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) operating within resource-constrained contexts. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling applied to survey data, the findings show that contracting authority support and staff awareness are a strong drivers of adoption, which in turnimproves PPP success in development phases. Compliance mechanisms and regulatory involvement facilitate adoption, although regulatory frameworks have a limited moderating effect. Internal organizational capabilities and stakeholder awareness emerge as stronger predictors of sustainability outcomes. The study argues for prioritizing people-first principles, fostering supportive organizational cultures, and investing in staff training to strengthen UNSDG-aligned PPPs in resource-constrained contexts.enPeople-first evaluation methodologyPPPsPeople-first PPPsPLS-SEMLow-income economiesArticle