Researcher ORCID Identifier
0009-0009-1727-7763
Graduation Year
2025
Document Type
Open Access Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
International Relations
Reader 1
William Ascher
Reader 2
Julin Everett
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2024 Angela J Niederberger
Abstract
This thesis investigates the infrastructural challenges impeding economic development in Southeast Asia, with a particular focus on the energy and transportation sectors. It examines how Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) models, a form of Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), have emerged as viable mechanisms to address the region’s persistent infrastructure deficits. Drawing from six case studies across Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia—including successful and unsuccessful BOT initiatives—this research evaluates the financial, political, and administrative constraints that affect project outcomes. It further explores the role of institutional frameworks, international organizations, and legal reforms in enhancing BOT performance and mitigating risks such as corruption, capacity gaps, and public opposition. The findings suggest that, with refined regulatory oversight and balanced risk allocation, BOT schemes can play a critical role in bridging infrastructure gaps in developing economies. Policy recommendations advocate for improved transparency, profit structuring, and multilateral cooperation to ensure sustainable infrastructure development across the region.
Recommended Citation
Niederberger, Angela J., "Achieving Public Goals Using Private Tools: Build-Operate-Transfer Projects in Southeast Asia" (2025). Scripps Senior Theses. 2574.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/scripps_theses/2574
