Typology of Public-Private Partnerships in Integrated Care: Evidence from a Municipality in Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Objectives: Despite the significant advantages of public-private partnerships (PPPs), understanding of the organisational roles that shape partnership functioning within integrated care networks remains limited. This study investigated the structural characteristics of PPPs and identified organisational roles within an integrated care network in a Seoul district, Korea.Methods: Using the 2020 Integrated Care Network Survey, this study analyzed modularity, eigenvector centrality, and brokerage in 82 public and private organisations across five different types: district offices, public health centres, healthcare institutions, social welfare institutions, and community organisations. Results: Our results reveal that integrated care organisations are predominantly divided into two major networks: disability care and elderly care. The highest centrality in the elderly care network is occupied by the dementia relief centre and social welfare institutions, while the disability care network is dominated by public institutions, the Health and Welfare Cooperative, and a social service centre for the disabled. Regarding organisational roles, social welfare institutions function primarily as coordinators, representatives, and gatekeepers, whereas public institutions—including district offices, public health centres, and community service centres—serve as consultants and liaisons. Notably, public institutions assume more prominent roles and private organisations demonstrate less involvement in the disability care network compared to the elderly care network. Conclusion: These findings underscore the importance of defining clear organisational roles and interaction mechanisms between public and private sectors, offering valuable insights for policy design aimed at enhancing coordination, accountability, and sustainability within PPP-based integrated care systems. © 2026 The Author(s).