Against opportunism: how dual commitment shapes fairness perception in public–private partnership projects

Purpose At the current stage of Public–Private Partnership (PPP) implementation, opportunistic behavior driven by perceived unfairness in risk–benefit allocation undermines project efficiency and sustainability. Relationship commitment, as a core element of partnership governance, provides insight into how perceptions of fairness translate into opportunistic behavior. Accordingly, this study examines the relationship between perceived fairness and opportunism, focusing on the mediating roles of affective and calculative commitment. Design/methodology/approach Guided by social exchange theory and relationship governance principles, this study develops and empirically tests a research framework using structural equation modeling. Data were collected from a questionnaire survey of 314 private-sector practitioners involved in PPP projects to examine the relationships among fairness perceptions, relationship commitment, and opportunistic behavior. Findings The study reveals compelling distinctions between affective and calculative commitment. Enhanced perceptions of fairness significantly reduce opportunistic behavior by fostering stronger affective commitment among private-sector participants. Notably, interactional fairness directly reduces calculative commitment, positioning it as an essential strategy for curbing opportunism universally. Conversely, distributive and procedural fairness emerge as pivotal dimensions for promoting sustained, cooperative relationships. Originality/value This research extends fairness theory into the PPP context by clarifying how different fairness dimensions influence opportunistic behavior through distinct commitment mechanisms. Theoretically, it advances understanding of the nuanced role of calculative and affective commitment in inter-organizational governance. Practically, the findings provide actionable guidance for public-sector managers in addressing pressing challenges such as mitigating opportunism, strengthening trust, and improving collaboration with private-sector partners.