Procurement Practices Research Articles

Lessons for a Fairer, More Transparent, and More Competitive Public Procurement in the European Union

Public procurement is one of the main instruments of State action and resource allocation and it is used in a wide range of public policies. It is a particularly vital tool for social, environmental and innovation policies. However, it entails many challenges, as public funds are expected to be used to obtain maximum profitability; and market development opportunities must be seized to strategically contribute to innovation, social inclusion, and financial and environmental sustainability of a country. This article, eminently macro-conceptual, discusses the topic of public procurement, characterizing it as a framework for boosting contracting activity in public bodies across Europe, and highlighting the evolution of this practice and its corresponding regulation. Attention will then turn to its main implementation instruments, considering the fundamental principles of public procurement and the EU law restrictions that underpin them. Draws lessons on issues of systematic monitoring of public procurement performance in various European countries, with a view to the concerted practice of public procurement, in compliance with the principles of fairer, more transparent, and more competitive Public Administration.

Optimizing the food supply chain through the integration of financial models and big data in procurement: A strategy for reducing food prices

Optimizing the food supply chain through the integration of financial models and big data analytics presents a transformative strategy for reducing food prices. In an increasingly complex global market, managing procurement effectively is crucial for cost control and price stabilization. Financial models, such as cost-benefit analysis, financial forecasting, and risk assessment, provide valuable insights into procurement decisions, helping organizations anticipate price fluctuations and manage expenses. When combined with big data analytics, these models enable more precise predictions and strategic planning. Big data analytics harnesses vast amounts of information from various sources, including market trends, supplier performance, and consumer behavior. By analyzing this data, organizations can identify patterns, optimize inventory levels, and forecast demand with greater accuracy. This data-driven approach enhances decision-making in procurement, allowing for better negotiation with suppliers, efficient inventory management, and the reduction of wastage. The integration of financial models with big data provides a holistic view of the supply chain, enabling companies to implement dynamic pricing strategies and adjust procurement practices based on real-time insights. This integration helps in minimizing operational costs, improving supply chain efficiency, and ultimately reducing food prices for consumers. For example, predictive analytics can identify potential supply disruptions and adjust procurement strategies proactively, while financial models can evaluate the cost-effectiveness of various sourcing options. Challenges such as data integration, quality, and privacy must be addressed to fully leverage these technologies. Moreover, investment in advanced analytics tools and skilled personnel is essential for successful implementation. In conclusion, the synergy between financial models and big data analytics offers a strategic approach to optimizing the food supply chain. By enhancing procurement practices and leveraging real-time insights, this strategy contributes to reducing food prices and improving overall supply chain efficiency, benefiting both businesses and consumers. Keywords: Food Supply Chain, Financial Models, Big Data Analytics, Procurement Optimization, Cost Control, Price Reduction, Inventory Management, Predictive Analytics, Supply Chain Efficiency.

Procurement Ethics and Corruption: An Examination of Italy and Zimbabwe

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the procurement ethics and corruption: an examination of Italy and Zimbabwe. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on procurement ethics and corruption in Italy and Zimbabwe reveals significant contrasts between the two countries. In Italy, procurement processes are more structured, with stringent regulations aimed at curbing corruption, yet challenges persist, particularly in the enforcement of these regulations. In contrast, Zimbabwe faces more profound issues with systemic corruption deeply embedded in its procurement practices, exacerbated by weaker institutional frameworks and lack of transparency. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Principal-agent theory, institutional theory & ethical decision-making theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the procurement ethics and corruption: an examination of Italy and Zimbabwe. Organizations in both Italy and Zimbabwe should implement robust ethical training programs for procurement officials to promote integrity and accountability. Policymakers in Italy and Zimbabwe should collaborate to develop comprehensive anti-corruption frameworks that address the unique challenges faced in each country’s procurement landscape.

Globalization and Local Procurement: A Study of Supply Chain Dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the globalization and local procurement: a study of supply chain dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh. Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: The study on strategic sourcing's impact on cost reduction in Australia and Bangladesh manufacturing firms demonstrated significant positive results. It showed that strategic sourcing led to notable reductions in procurement costs, enhanced supplier management, negotiation, and risk mitigation strategies. The findings underscored the importance of aligning procurement strategies with organizational goals for sustainable cost reductions and competitive advantages in the sector. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Resource dependence theory (RDT), transaction cost economics (TCE) & institutional theory may be used to anchor future studies on analyze the globalization and local procurement: a study of supply chain dynamics in Australia and Bangladesh. Businesses in both Australia and Bangladesh should prioritize building strong relationships with local suppliers to enhance supply chain resilience. Policymakers in both Australia and Bangladesh should create supportive regulatory frameworks that promote local procurement practices.

Breaking All the Rules: Information Technology Procurement in the Government of Canada

AbstractThe Government of Canada has recently faced intense parliamentary and public scrutiny of the role played by private contractors in its information technology (IT) projects, most notably in the case of the ArriveCAN application. With these ongoing investigations as its backdrop, this article analyzes patterns in federal government IT procurement between 2017 and 2022, drawing on a comprehensive analysis of the federal contracting open dataset. We reveal that the federal government betrays accepted best practice in modern government IT procurement on several key dimensions, including on contract values and lengths; on the diversity of suppliers; on the source of IT expertise; and in the management of intellectual property. We argue that the Canadian approach to IT procurement is an historically overlooked but crucial driver of its failing digital reform efforts. We conclude by turning to IT procurement policy reforms gaining traction outside Canada that may help the Government of Canada improve how it buys and deploys IT going forward—a task we argue is essential if the government wants to avoid future IT contracting scandals and deliver on its long‐standing promise of digital era modernization.

The impact of EU public procurement regulations on tenders in Spain: a study with adalimumab.

Pharmaceutical spending accounts for a significant portion of public healthcare budgets. To manage these costs, EU countries implement various cost-containment policies, including competitive tendering for pharmaceuticals. This study examines the impact of EU public procurement regulations on medication procurement practices. A search for all published tenders of adalimumab in Spain from 2018 to 2024 in the Spanish Public Sector Procurement Database, a period that coincides with the implementation of European legislation and the emergence of adalimumab biosimilars. All available documentation for each tender was reviewed, including the tender offer, technical specifications, specific administrative clauses, appointments of evaluation commissions, supporting memorandum, and evaluation reports. Our findings reveal substantial price reductions following the introduction of adalimumab biosimilars, yet highlight significant variability in tender criteria and practices across different regions. Despite adherence to EU directives, the inconsistent application of economic and non-economic factors and an erratic criteria concerning price undermine the intended balance of quality and cost, complicating procurement processes and potentially affecting the availability of a given treatment for patients.

Unfair competition in public procurement related to intellectual property rights

The article examines the advantages and risks of using the negotiation procedure forpublic procurement of goods, works, and services that include objects of intellectual propertyrights. An analysis of Ukrainian and EU legislation regarding public procurementthat includes objects of intellectual property law was carried out. The practice of conductingpublic procurement in Ukraine under the negotiated procedure in cases where there isa need to protect intellectual property rights is considered. It was concluded that there aredifficulties in understanding and, accordingly, in the practice of applying the provisions ofthe legislation regarding the application of the negotiation procedure for public procurementof goods, works, and services that include objects of intellectual property rights. Imperfectlegislation on public procurement with regard to objects of intellectual propertyrights leads to unfair competition in the form of rights abuse. It is proposed to specify inthe legislation of Ukraine the cases in which the negotiation procedure can be applied tothe public procurement regarding objects of intellectual property rights and to identifyspecific objects of intellectual property rights in relation to which such a procedure can potentiallybe applied. Proposed proposals for supplementing the Law of Ukraine «On PublicProcurement» with the provision of Directive 2014/24/EU that the negotiation procedurefor public procurement related to objects of intellectual property rights is used in exceptionalcases when there is no reasonable alternative or replacement, and the lack of competitionis not the result of artificially narrowing procurement parameters. It was alsoproposed to clarify the provisions of Paragraph 5, Clause 2, Part 2 of Article 40 of the Lawof Ukraine «On Public Procurement» regarding the application of the negotiation procedurefor public procurement that include to objects of intellectual property rights as follows:«if the subject of public procurement is goods, works, or services containing objects ofintellectual property rights» in order to better understand it.

Analysis of household food procurement practices from a sustainability perspective in grand Lomé, Togo

Over the past ten years, African cities have been trying to move towards sustainable food supply by setting up short food distribution circuits (CCs). This article analyzes household behavior towards CCs in Grand Lomé, Togo, using a survey of 963 randomly sampled households, 13 focus groups, 6 individual interviews, as well as observation. Excel spreadsheets and R-Studio software were used to process and analyze quantitative data, while content analysis was applied to the verbal statements collected. At the end of the surveys, multiple-choice questions enabled us to detect, firstly, a low level of use of CCs, with 8.79%, 7.73% and 4.66% of respondents respectively resorting to "online purchasing", "self-production of food" and "the farmer's home". On the other hand, 92.37% of households go to public markets and 81.99% use informal food shops. Next, a correlation was observed between the "type of shop" frequented and "profession" : salaried workers, shopkeepers and students go to quality shops, while artisans make do with lower-quality shops. Finally, the main reasons for visiting markets are "affordability" and "physical proximity", while "quality" and the "local character of the food" are less important. Actions are proposed to increase the role of CCs in this city.

Ethics on academic procurement of cadavers.

Anatomy is a vital discipline in the realm of Medicine, and its primary means of study is through the use of cadavers. Experts in the medical, legal, and ethical domains have discussed the use of cadavers or their anatomical parts for educational purposes, which are considered a severe drawback. The advantages of using cadavers include their contribution to medical education, research, the investigation of innovative surgical procedures or techniques, the detection of anatomical differences at an individual or population level, the enhancement of surgical skills, and the support of other anatomical investigations. This review highlights the issues like consent, respect for the deceased and cultural beliefs on cadaver procurement practices and also it emphasizes the need for better body donation initiatives and public awareness campaigns to ensure sustainable cadaver procurement practices, ensuring consent, respect for the deceased and cultural beliefs.

Sustainable Procurement Practices: Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies through Strategic Procurement Policies

Sustainable Procurement Practices: Adoption of Renewable Energy Sources and Technologies through Strategic Procurement Policies

Influence of Adopting Electronic Procurement Practices on Performance of Supply Chain Management for Hospitals in Kenya

Technology has become an integral part of modern business, facilitating transactions and operations in many areas, including procurement. Businesses, clinics, and hospitals in Kenya have been quick to embrace E-Procurement strategies. In Kenyan hospitals, where e-procurement accounts for as much as 30% of operational expenses, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of this trend on supply chain management success. Companies that want to survive in today's cutthroat healthcare market must embrace e-procurement strategies if they want to keep up with the ever-changing industry. By facilitating more efficient inventory management, faster purchasing cycles, increased transparency, and higher quality services, e-procurement practices are essential for improving performance and competitiveness in the market. The health industry is facing severe competition and financing constraints, making it imperative that it reorganizes its service delivery system to adapt to the complicated business climate. The purpose of this empirical study is to investigate how hospitals in Kenya are using electronic tendering and electronic invoicing to improve their supply chain management. The study found that Kenyan hospital administrators have a highly positive perception of electronic procurement practices, with e-tendering scoring an average mean of 4.75, significantly enhancing SCM performance through efficiency and cost savings. The findings concluded that e-invoicing also positively impacts procurement processes, promoting transparency and operational effectiveness. The study further recommended that legislators integrate these electronic procurement practices into healthcare policies, provide financial assistance and training, and encourage hospitals to invest in robust systems and strategic partnerships to improve patient care and system efficiency.

Hiding when you're not green: An empirical analysis on green public procurement

IMPACT This article highlights the significant influence of respondent bias on green public procurement (GPP) practices. After surveying the largest contracting authorities in the Czech and Slovak Republics, the authors found that non-respondents to GPP surveys typically adopt fewer green practices. This finding underscores the need for improved monitoring and institutional pressure to enhance GPP implementation. The article presents actionable insights for increasing GPP uptake which will be valuable for practitioners in public procurement, sustainability management and policy development. The authors advocate for tailored control and incentive mechanisms, emphasizing the importance of organizational performance monitoring. This article is particularly relevant for professionals in countries with developing GPP frameworks or those operating within imperfect institutional environments. By addressing these biases and enhancing monitoring, practitioners will be able to drive more effective and sustainable procurement practices.

Public Procurement Practices for Cereal Products in Polish Educational Institutions: Analysis and Implications for Nutrition Policy.

Public procurement of food is crucial for ensuring proper nutrition and the provision of high-quality products in public institutions like schools and kindergartens. It should be seen as an investment in health promotion, particularly for young children. Notably, when no quality criteria are specified, the cheapest and often lowest-quality products are typically selected. This study analyzed 1126 public procurement orders processed by schools and kindergartens in Poland between November 2022 and March 2023, with a focus on cereal products and their derivatives. Of these orders, 197 met the inclusion criteria, yielding a total of 5084 cereal products for detailed analysis. The study assessed the quantities ordered and the quality characteristics specified in the procurement documents. The results revealed that the most commonly described criteria pertained to product composition, especially typical characteristics and the absence of additives. Sensorial characteristics such as consistency and color were also frequently specified, while sustainable public procurement criteria were mentioned the least, indicating their marginal importance in current procurement practices. This underscores the critical importance of establishing minimum standards for describing cereal products in terms of sensorial characteristics, composition, and sustainability. Such standards are essential for improving the quality of grain products supplied to public institutions and ensuring that these institutions actively contribute to promoting healthy eating habits among children.

Green procurement practices and barriers in hospitals in the bono region of Ghana

Green procurement practices and barriers in hospitals in the bono region of Ghana

Sustainable procurement practices and female entrepreneurs: Insights from a developing country

Sustainable procurement practices and female entrepreneurs: Insights from a developing country

Government procurement and corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from China

This study investigates the impact of government procurement on the microeconomic landscape, particularly focusing on investment decisions and efficiency within corporations. Utilizing a dataset spanning 2015 to 2021 from A-share listed companies in China, the study examines how government contracts, as reported by the China Government Procurement website, influence corporate investment strategies. The analysis reveals that government procurement significantly enhances investment efficiency and mitigates common corporate investment deficiencies. These findings are robust, confirmed through instrumental variable techniques and validation procedures. Furthermore, the study explores the underlying mechanisms, suggesting that government procurement facilitates corporate financial fluidity and reduces environmental unpredictability. The impact is notably more pronounced in private sector entities, high-tech industries, and economically advanced regions in eastern China. This research provides empirical evidence of government procurement's efficacy as an economic instrument, highlighting its role in promoting corporate fiscal prudence. However, the study acknowledges limitations, such as potential variability in procurement practices across different regions and industries, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. Future research could explore the long-term effects of government procurement on corporate innovation and broader economic outcomes.

Synergistic state governance of labour standards in global value chains: Forced labour in the Malaysia–Nepal–UK medical gloves supply chain

Drawing on research into medical gloves global value chains (GVCs), this article examines the interacting roles that states differently positioned in GVCs have played in preventing and eliminating forced labour. Our case study, based on a worker survey and semi-structured interviews across GVC actors, focuses on forced labour in the Malaysian medical gloves sector during the COVID-19 pandemic, linking production in Malaysia, end markets in the UK (primarily through procurement for the National Health Service) and migrant-sending countries, especially Nepal. We analyze the intermeshing effects of the different roles of states, operating at either the horizontal or vertical level of GVC governance, in terms of contributing to issues of forced labour. We identify three state roles in the Malaysia–UK medical gloves chain: producer state (Malaysia), migrant-sending state (Nepal) and regulator-buyer state (UK). We also identify some of the most persistent barriers to resolving forced labour in the value chain. Our research illustrates that Malaysia’s complex regulatory, political and institutional dynamics most directly influence forced labour in gloves production, but Nepal’s migration policies and the UK’s healthcare procurement practices also create forced labour risk in Malaysia. Advancing Gereffi and Lee’s (2016: 25) notion of “synergistc governance” and Jessop’s (2016) strategic-relational approach (SRA) to the state, we thus argue that the creation of sustained and positive regulatory synergies among states differently positioned in GVCs is necessary for the prevention and elimination of forced labour.

SUSTAINABLE SUPPLIER SELECTION IN INDIRECT PROCUREMENT: BEST PRACTICES AND CASE STUDIES IN ENGINEERING

This systematic review examines sustainable supplier selection in indirect procurement within the engineering sector, focusing on best practices, criteria, and impacts on organizational performance. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review synthesizes findings from 35 articles published between 2000 and 2023. Key best practices identified include the integration of sustainability criteria into supplier evaluations, the use of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to gauge environmental impact, and the implementation of carbon footprint analyses. Additionally, the emphasis on fair labor practices and the requirement for suppliers to obtain certifications like SA8000 enhance social sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The evolution of supplier selection criteria to encompass environmental, social, and economic factors reflects a more holistic approach, addressing complex sustainability challenges and driving long-term value and resilience in supply chains. The review also highlights the positive impacts of sustainable procurement practices, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, enhanced brand reputation, and improved operational efficiency. These findings underscore the strategic importance of sustainable procurement in achieving organizational sustainability goals and fostering sustainable development in the engineering sector.

OPTIMIZING HVAC EFFICIENCY AND RELIABILITY: A REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES FOR COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS

This systematic review examines sustainable supplier selection in indirect procurement within the engineering sector, focusing on best practices, criteria, and impacts on organizational performance. Adhering to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, the review synthesizes findings from 35 articles published between 2000 and 2023. Key best practices identified include the integration of sustainability criteria into supplier evaluations, the use of lifecycle assessments (LCAs) to gauge environmental impact, and the implementation of carbon footprint analyses. Additionally, the emphasis on fair labor practices and the requirement for suppliers to obtain certifications like SA8000 enhance social sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The evolution of supplier selection criteria to encompass environmental, social, and economic factors reflects a more holistic approach, addressing complex sustainability challenges and driving long-term value and resilience in supply chains. The review also highlights the positive impacts of sustainable procurement practices, such as cost savings, risk mitigation, enhanced brand reputation, and improved operational efficiency. These findings underscore the strategic importance of sustainable procurement in achieving organizational sustainability goals and fostering sustainable development in the engineering sector.

Barriers to access to antihypertensive medicines: insights from the HEARTS initiative in latin American and Caribbean region.

Hypertension significantly impacts the global cardiovascular disease burden, presenting a pronounced challenge within Latin America and the Caribbean. The Pan American Health Organization's (PAHO) HEARTS initiative endeavours to meet this challenge by enhancing comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, inclusive of improved access to antihypertensive medications. This study scrutinises the challenges and barriers in accessing these medications, which are crucial for effective hypertension management in these regions. The research employed a two-phase approach: an initial analysis of National Essential Medicines Lists (NEMLs) from 22 countries involved in the HEARTS initiative for the presence of antihypertensive medications, followed by an in-depth pharmaceutical market analysis in six selected countries to evaluate the availability, pricing, and procurement practices of these medications. The study revealed notable inconsistencies in the inclusion of recommended antihypertensive medications across NEMLs, particularly the lack of fixed-dose combinations (FDCs). The market analysis brought to light significant limitations in medicine registration and substantial variations in pricing, which adversely impact the accessibility and affordability of essential antihypertensive treatments. Furthermore, an examination of procurement practices identified considerable diversity across countries, highlighting potential areas for optimisation, including the use of the PAHO Strategic Fund. The barriers to accessing essential antihypertensive medications in Latin America and the Caribbean are multifaceted, stemming from outmoded NEMLs, limited market availability of advised medications, and disparate procurement processes. Leveraging pooled procurement mechanisms such as the PAHO Strategic Fund, coupled with vital updates to NEMLs, stands to markedly improve both the accessibility and affordability of these treatments.