Procurement Practices Research Articles

The Influence of Budget Allocation in the Adoption of Green Procurement: The Case of Mwanza City Council

This study examined the influence of budget allocation in adopting green procurement at Mwanza City Council. The study used a cross-sectional research design while stratified and purposive sampling strategies were deployed to select 102 respondents. The data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data collected through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive and regression analysis with the aid of SPSS, while data collected through interviews were analysed using content analysis. The study found that the correlation between budget allocation and the adoption of green procurement has a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.901. This correlation is highly significant at the 0.01 level (2-tailed), indicating a strong positive relationship between these variables. This implies that organisations will likely adopt green procurement practices as budget allocation towards green procurement increases. The study concludes that budget allocation is crucial in the adoption of green procurement for several reasons, primarily because transitioning to environmentally friendly practices often involves initial investment and ongoing expenses. Implementing green procurement practices involves purchasing environmentally friendly products and technologies, which could have higher upfront costs compared to conventional alternatives. The study recommends that the organisation should allocate a budget for training programs to educate employees about the principles and benefits of green procurement. This can involve workshops, seminars, or online training modules to ensure that all stakeholders understand the importance of sustainability and are equipped with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions.

A Systematic Literature Review of Research on Social Procurement in the Construction and Infrastructure Sector: Barriers, Enablers, and Strategies

In Australia, a new feature of public policy is the requirement by governments that large-scale infrastructure projects integrate social procurement practices that alter the traditional focus on balancing price and quality. Social procurement has been gradually developing in practice, but the academic literature has not kept pace. Although past research has identified some of the barriers affecting social procurement implementation in the construction industry, the nature of the barriers impeding its proliferation has not to date been systematically reviewed. This paper undertakes a review of the social procurement literature published from January 2012 to 30 June 2022, with 49 papers chosen under selective criteria. This critical review employs the “Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses” (PRISMA) technique to retrieve secondary data on social procurement from available peer-reviewed academic papers through three databases (Scopus, EBSCOhost, Web of Science). The literature analysis focuses on three themes: (1) barriers; (2) enablers; and (3) strategies to overcome the barriers. The paper finds that social procurement as a field of practice is evolving and expanding, but its role in contributing to social value creation remains an under-theorised concept. Recommendations for practice and future research are identified, including the need to measure the real-world impacts of policy.

THE ROLE OF DECARBONISATION IN ENHANCING SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT PRACTICES IN THE U.S

In an era marked by escalating environmental concerns and the pressing need for sustainable practices, this paper delves into the transformative potential of decarbonisation in enhancing sustainable procurement practices, with a specific focus on the U.S. context. The study commences with a comprehensive overview of the prevailing procurement practices in the U.S., elucidating their environmental ramifications, particularly in terms of carbon emissions. The discourse then transitions to the broader implications of decarbonisation on a global scale, highlighting its multifaceted benefits beyond mere carbon reduction. Central to the paper’s narrative is the exploration of how decarbonisation can catalyse sustainable procurement. By integrating decarbonisation strategies into procurement processes, entities can mitigate their environmental footprint, realise long-term economic advantages, foster innovation, and fortify stakeholder relationships. However, this metamorphosis lacks challenges, ranging from organisational inertia and economic considerations to stakeholder apprehensions. The paper furnishes a blueprint for policymakers and industry leaders, guiding them through sustainable procurement’s intricacies and spotlighting its potential boons and inherent challenges. The study offers tangible exemplars of sustainable procurement’s potential through real-world case studies, illustrating how diverse entities can effectuate meaningful change. The paper concludes with a call to action for stakeholders, emphasising the collective effort required to transition towards sustainable procurement practices. This study underscores the pivotal role of sustainable procurement, underpinned by decarbonisation, in steering the U.S. and, by extension, the global community, towards a sustainable and prosperous future.

Are the Covid-19 Pandemic and Public Procurement ‘Strange Bedfellows’? An African Perspective

The purpose of this article is to provide insights into how the Covid-19 pandemic has affected public procurement operations, and the role of public procurement during the pandemic. The article synthesises relevant literature on Covid-19 and public procurement in the African context. A review of literature from 2020 to 2022 was done to enrich the findings of the current article, which shows that the Covid-19 pandemic affected public procurement in the form of delays, malpractice, budget reallocations and supply disruptions. Furthermore, during the Covid-19 pandemic it was recommended that public procurement practices be more strategic through collaboration, and respond more quickly in obtaining vaccines and health supplies, which were critical in the prevention and treatment of related illnesses. The article provides several practical implications in terms of ensuring good governance, implementing regulatory frameworks for emergency procurement, improving collaboration among members of comparable regional organisations, and implementing Covid-19 preventative measures. Finally, because the current study’s scope is limited in terms of the selection of published articles and other relevant literature that give insights about the African continent during this period, future studies could be conducted to include literature from outside the African continent in order to broaden the scope of this current study.

Procurement practices in international development projects: trends, networks and performances

PurposeInternational development projects are a dominant means by which aid is distributed to countries. Over the past 70 years, the distribution of trillions of dollars of development aid has been mediated by the United Nations (UN). However, most of this aid has failed to deliver the expected outcomes for which it was assigned. Nevertheless, a significant proportion of projects can be considered successful. Despite the glaring question as to which factors contribute to the success or failure of projects, no study has comprehensively documented the relationship between procurement mechanisms invoked to deliver aid projects and project outcomes. This study aims to assess this relationship.Design/methodology/approachLeveraging network analysis methodology, this study examines the World Bank data set of over 247,000 developmental contracts worldwide granted over the past 20 years. It identifies the range of procurement practices used and interrogates their ability to deliver satisfactory project outcomes.FindingsEleven prevalent practices are identified covering aid projects across twelve sectors. As might be expected, Africa is the largest recipient of aid, while the Middle East is the least. Overwhelmingly, international competitive bidding (ICB) is the leading procurement procedure, both in terms of contract number and total dollar value. However, ICB does not always deliver the best outcomes, with other, more boutique approaches sometimes doing better.Social implicationsThe breadth of this study, encompassing such a vast data resource, and generating such a rich pool of findings will now empower researchers to take the next important step, which is to progress this study in exploring why it is that certain procurement strategies have worked for some sectors, but not others. Countries, financial institutions, the UN and construction enterprises alike will be very interested in the results.Originality/valueThe spectrum of outcomes identified will be of interest to academics and practitioners alike wishing to investigate further the drivers behind the results described here.

Locally supported, values-based framework for a university foodservice program: Results of a Delphi study

Institutional foodservice programs provide food in kindergarten through twelfth-grade (K–12) school cafeterias, hospitals, prisons, and institutions of higher education. Values-based procurement pri­oritizes certain values or criteria in addition to price. Institutions where values-based procurement policies have been adopted have increased the proportion of procurement dollars that go to local farms and are spent on products receiving third-party certifications for sustainability, farmworker justice, and animal welfare. Several programs exist to support institutions seeking to adopt and implement values-based procurement practices. However, there have been difficulties with imple­menting programs that have metrics that were not designed based on the local context where the institution is located, particularly for institutions of higher education. This study used the Delphi technique to identify expert consensus on values and metrics based on the local context that could be used as the foundation for a values-based framework for a university dining program. Our study identified eight core values and six categories of metrics that were supported by local and region­al food systems stakeholders at the University of Florida and in the surrounding community. Other higher education institutions can apply and adapt these values and metrics to their local contexts or can use our consensus-building process as a model to develop a set of values and metrics for their institutional procurement program, tailored to their local context.

A Comprehensive Review of Engineering, Procurement, and Construction in Nigeria

This study focuses on the challenges and prospects of engineering procurement in Nigeria. The research examines the existing literature on engineering procurement practices, identifies gaps in knowledge, and explores potential areas for improvement. Through a comprehensive review, key findings emerge, highlighting limited research specific to engineering procurement in Nigeria and a lack of empirical studies on project performance and outcomes. Moreover, the literature review reveals a need for more research on engineering procurement projects' socio-economic and environmental impacts. The implications of these findings underscore the need for targeted research, enhanced data collection, and monitoring mechanisms to evaluate project performance accurately. Additionally, the study emphasises the importance of considering the broader socio-economic and environmental implications for sustainable development. Overall, this study serves as a foundation for advancing the understanding of engineering procurement in Nigeria and offers insights for policy-makers, researchers, and practitioners in the field.

Disclosure index development for sustainable procurement: An Australian perspective

In recent years, there is a growing demand for corporations to demonstrate their commitment for and performance in sustainable sourcing of their goods and services. This has led to the promulgation of several sustainable procurement indicators (SPIs) and disclosure indexes (DIs) to guide businesses in meeting ‘responsible’ or ‘ethical’ business operations. However, extant SPIs and guidelines have reliability challenges due to inconsistencies and varying focuses as most DIs are skewed towards non-discriminatory practices and equity in wealth and income distribution. This study proposes a methodological framework and uses 33 indicators of globally accepted ethical norms and standards for business conduct to develop an index for disclosure of sustainable procurement practices. Based on the proposed framework, we conducted a proof-of-concept study using a sample of 60 companies in four industries listed in the Australian Securities Exchange. The findings reveal significant variations in disclosure, with less than 20% of the investigated companies reporting 80% or more of the 33 indicators that constitute the disclosure index. It is observed that companies tend to disclose more in the governance and the environmental dimensions, but less in the economic and the social domains. These results indicate that the disclosure index developed using the proposed framework can be a useful tool for assessing transparency in reporting sustainable procurement practices and can help improve sustainability performance across the supply chain. The index thus provides stakeholders and the public with a lens to examine and monitor a company's sustainable sourcing practices.

Assessing the State of Sustainable Procurement Practices in Ghanaian Tertiary Institutions

This study assessed the state of sustainable procurement practices in Ghanaian tertiary institutions. The adoption of sustainable procurement practices has gained significant attention due to the growing emphasis on the environmental, social, and economic impact of organizations and their suppliers. It aimed to determine the extent to which sustainability principles were incorporated into procurement practices, identify challenges faced in adopting sustainable procurement, and identify factors that could influence sustainable procurement adoption. A quantitative approach was used, and data is collected through a structured questionnaire administered to procurement officers in Ghanaian tertiary institutions. The questionnaire included statements of sustainability practices, challenges of adoption, and factors influencing adoption. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The findings revealed that the adoption of sustainable procurement practices in Ghanaian tertiary institutions is a low to moderate state. Respondents show disagreement in areas such as following up on environmental and social performance, ensuring the well-being of the less privileged, and including reporting on environmental and social issues. However, respondents express moderate agreement in considering alternatives to purchasing, such as reusing, recycling, and hiring. Challenges in adopting sustainable procurement practices were identified, including difficulty in accessing suppliers of sustainable products, suppliers' lack of understanding of sustainability concepts, and low commitment of management to sustainability adoption. Factors that can influence sustainable procurement adoption are also explored, including demystifying the perceived cost of sustainable products, encouraging top management support and policy implementation, providing sustainability training for staff, and enforcing governmental laws and regulations on sustainability. The study highlights the need for increased awareness and implementation of sustainable procurement practices in Ghanaian tertiary institutions. It emphasizes the importance of addressing challenges and promoting factors that facilitate adoption. By incorporating sustainability principles into procurement practices, these institutions can contribute to a more sustainable future, where resources are used efficiently, waste is minimized, and social well-being is prioritized.

How to increase the uptake of circular public procurement? Lessons learned from local authorities in Sweden

PurposeCircular procurement is assumed to foster innovation and influence demand for and supply of goods through criteria setting and dialogue with suppliers. However, even in countries placed at the forefront of sustainability practices such as Sweden, examples of procurement that can truly be considered to be circular are rare. This paper aims to examine circular public procurement practices in a selection of Swedish municipalities and regions through the lens of the Advocacy Coalition Framework. The authors propose a categorisation of municipalities by circular procurement uptake and identify factors that support the acceleration of the circular transition in Sweden.Design/methodology/approachUsing the key informant approach, the authors conducted semi-structured interviews with employees of seven municipalities, one region and one external procurement agency, as well as seven suppliers of various sizes. The authors also analysed procurement documents received from municipalities. Participating organisations represented a variety of Swedish local government structures and local conditions.FindingsThe authors proposed a categorisation of circular procurement uptake. Notably, beginners differ from leaders in circular procurement, most importantly by the level of flexibility policy brokers have within their organisations and by policy brokers’ ability to accommodate changes that materialise between existing organisational structures and set routines.Social implicationsThe fragmented uptake of circular procurement poses a challenge for local businesses interested in implementing circular business models. It also both highlights and exacerbates inequalities in access to resources between sparsely populated, rural municipalities and more urbanised areas.Originality/valueDespite existing national government guidelines for the circular economy transition in Sweden, circular procurement is not fully realised at the local level. In this paper, the authors examine the Swedish experience with circular procurement and propose several steps to improve the uptake of circular procurement by the public authorities. The authors' findings concerning the role of policy brokers may well be generalised to similar socio-cultural contexts.

Transitioning from green to circular procurement in developing countries: a conceptual framework for Ghana’s construction sector

ABSTRACT Circular procurement (CP) systems are fast evolving and recently, regarded as a ‘golden-ring’ to be leveraged in promoting the circular economy. However, it appears that the construction sector of developing countries is yet to make any significant adaptions and improvements to its existing procurement practice. In this paper, we examine the state of procurement practice in such countries for opportunities to develop and implement CP. Using case analysis from the Ghanaian context, evidence on the status quo of existing green procurement system is sought to ascertain gaps and similarities between practice, policy and targets needed for CP implementation. Qualitative methods comprising the use of secondary data and interviews with stakeholders from three public tendered projects were adopted, and results analysed to develop a conceptual framework for CP. The findings of the study reveal that government policy, circular strategy, circular sourcing and platforms are essential components that need to be developed for CP implementation. Hence, the developed framework proposes an integration of these aspects through the four-lenses of people, process, policy and technology. The output of this research provides a collective roadmap for policymakers, practitioners and academicians towards the attainment of more circular consumption patterns in emerging construction markets.

To what extent does organizational learning influence the stakeholder pressure–green procurement nexus? Evidence from Ghana

The United Nations has described global warming as reaching a code red point for humanity and requires drastic measures to avert further terrible warming. Green procurement practices have been recognized as sustainable measures towards a low carbon trajectory, yet its implementation is still at the embryonic stage mainly due to weaknesses in organizational creativity skills and learning strategies. For the first time, we provide a theoretical framework that links stakeholder pressure, organizational learning, green procurement, and environmental performance within a public–private partnership environment. The analysis in this study is performed using the partial least square structural equation modelling and a sample of 295 respondents from Ghanaian infrastructure projects. Overall, we have found that exploratory and exploitative learning are necessary to translate stakeholder pressure to implement green procurement practices effectively. Also, firms that yield to stakeholder pressure develop their creative skills and increase their environmental performance. We recommend that managers should consider frequent market research and consistent stakeholder dialogue to create a culture of learning towards green practice implementation and promote environmental sustainability.

Developing A Survey Instrument to Identify the People’s Capabilities of Green Procurement

The construction industry is one of the major contributors to overall economic growth. The construction industry involves a diversified and complex supply chain with different phases and lengthy processes involving different stakeholders. Moreover, the construction industry also contributes to environmental problems through its activities. In the current global state, the construction industry must align its strategy with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and promote sustainable development throughout the construction lifecycle. Green procurement is one of the strategies introduced as a way forward to a greener approach in construction. However, the driver in implementing green procurement depends on the key players of the construction industry. Therefore, this study is to identify the key capabilities of the construction players in green procurement implementation. This study adopted a quantitative and multi-phase data collection method, first via an online questionnaire and face-to-face data collection. A pilot survey was developed based on previous studies from the literature and focus group discussions on identifying people’s capabilities for green procurement implementation. From the experts’ pilot stage, the outcome finally retains all the twenty-seven (27) people’s capabilities for green procurement for the construction industry. The outcome of this study will determine the significant impacts of people’s capabilities in green procurement implementation. It is recommended that people involved in the construction industry, especially the stakeholders, know and understand the importance of sustainability principles. Continuous learning and improvement are essential to align with the advancements in green procurement practices.

Developing Procurement Practices Framework in Supply Chain of Oil & Gas Sector: A Case Study of Gastec Company in Egypt

Developing Procurement Practices Framework in Supply Chain of Oil & Gas Sector: A Case Study of Gastec Company in Egypt

Strategic Procurement Practices and Procurement Performance: A Practical Investigation of the Commercial Banks in Quetta

The study examines the key procurement strategies employed by banks, such as supplier evaluations, contract negotiations, and supplier performance metrics. The research also analyzes the impact of technology on procurement processes and how banks can collaborate with suppliers to improve performance and reduce costs. The study aims to provide insights into best practices for strategic procurement in commercial banks, including cost savings, increased supplier performance, and improved quality of goods and services. The findings of this research can help banks enhance their procurement processes, which can ultimately lead to increased profitability and customer satisfaction. Therefore, this study has been conducted to describe the vital role of procurement in the commercial banks of Quetta, Balochistan. This study involves procurement practices to know their best role in performing the various functions of the banks which includes the procurement process, establishment of the procurement plan, strategic procurement practices, supplier chain management, and procurement performance. The study was quantitative in nature. Non probability method in which convenience sampling technique was used to collect data via questionnaire from the commercial banks operating in Quetta. Furthermore, SMART PLS 4. Was used to analyses the data. The result of the study has proved that significant positive effect of relationships between strategic procurement and procurement performance. Furthermore, challenges related to procurement mediate the relationship between both constructs.

A systematic review of the linkages between corporate governance systems and procurement practices in public procurement entities

Purpose – Corporate governance and procurement corruption has long been recognized as a social problem, but the subject has received scant academic attention in prevailing literature on the management of procurement in Ghana. A systematic review conducted explores how the relationship between corporate governance and procurement could contribute to the effective management of public resources to maximize social welfare and augment Ghana’s economy. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing extensively on existing literature as a secondary data source, this research adopts an interpretivist philosophical stance and inductive reasoning to explore corporate governance and procurement corruption. The approach underpinning this overarching epistemology, adopts a three-step sample selection strategy to identify the range and scope of publications on the phenomena under investigation. Scientific papers were searched manually from Scopus and carefully screened for analysis. Findings –Analysis suggests that corporate governance and procurement require a degree of coordinated change across governmental departments, such as planning, legal and procurement to implement a robust policy and related support systems. Furthermore, it was observed that a portfolio approach to inter-organizational collaboration with different partners (such as the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) as well as State Owned Enterprises and Corporations) was not coordinated sufficiently to effectively generate public interest. Albeit each partner has individual own objectives, they ultimately complement one another. A portfolio of different, inter-organizational arrangements enables several complementary instruments and various logics to be used in achieving overall organisational goals and objectives. Originality/value – Novel insight presented provides an invaluable opportunity to: further expand future research into corporate governance and procurement in Ghana; and consequently, provide the premise upon which to build meaningful empirical analysis such as comparing the extent of corruption practices in various sectors of the Ghanaian economy.

The Public Procurement System in Pakistan: A Critical Analysis

This research paper aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the public procurement system in Pakistan and explore contemporary electronic/online procurement methods to enhance transparency. The study employs a two-fold approach: initially showcasing the existing procurement landscape in Pakistan and subsequently proposing modern approaches for implementing a transparent electronic procurement system. A thorough literature review is conducted, incorporating publications, journal articles, government documents, regulations, laws, news articles, webpages, and a dissertation related to public procurement. The analysis extends to incorporate lessons learned from the procurement experiences of other countries, offering valuable insights for potential improvements in Pakistan's public procurement system. Using a conceptual analysis technique, the current tendencies and progress in procurement practices within Pakistan's public sector are extensively elucidated. The findings of this study contribute significantly to the understanding of the public procurement system in Pakistan, highlighting both its strengths and areas requiring improvement. Moreover, the proposed electronic procurement system, informed by international experiences, serves as a practical solution to ensure transparency, efficiency, and compliance within the public sector. This research paves the way for future studies and policy recommendations that can enhance procurement practices and ultimately foster sustainable development in Pakistan.

Forensic Accounting Techniques and Procurement Practices in Federal Government Parastatals of Nigeria

Purpose: The application of forensic accounting techniques in public procurement practices helps to maintain value for money. Loss attributable to fraud in the public sector environment due to leakages in procurement practices, which in turn affected the economic growth and development of the nation. Evidence from literature showed that many public sector of Nigeria have not deployed forensic accounting techniques in deriving maximum value from government spending. Hence, the study investigated the effect of forensic accounting techniques on procurement practices in public sector of Nigeria. This study therefore examines the effect of forensic accounting techniques on procurement practices in Federal Government parastatals in Nigeria. The study adopted survey research design.
 Methodology: The population of the study was 5 federal government agencies. Purposive sampling technique was used to select 2 agencies. The target population of the study was 131 accountants in the two agencies chosen- Nigeria Port Authority and Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority. Total enumeration was adopted. A validated and structured questionnaire was used to administer 131 copies of the questionnaire to the respondents. 126 copies were retrieved which represented 96% retrieval rate. The Cronbach alpha reliability coefficients ranged from 0.740 – 0.892. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential (multiple regression) statistics at 5% level of significant.
 Findings: The result found that forensic accounting techniques had significant effect on value for money practice in public sector of Nigeria (Adj. R2 = 0.299; F (6, 125) = 14.352, p < 0.05).
 The result also found that forensic accounting techniques had positive significant effect on procurement practices (Adj. R2 = 0.270, F (6, 125) = 12.562, p <0.05). The study concluded that forensic accounting techniques influenced value for money practices (measured by procurement practices) in federal public sector of Nigeria.
 Recommendations: The study therefore recommended that government should formulate policy that will mandate the use of forensic accounting techniques in order to avoid leakages and achieve value for money in government businesses.

Procurement Practices and Public Projects Implementation in Rwanda: A Case of African Evangelist Enterprise

This study examined the role of procurement practices on public projects implementation in Rwanda using a case of African Evangelist Enterprise. The specific objectives were to determine the effect of procurement planning, professionalism, and supplier selection on implementation of public projects in Rwanda. This study is pertinent because it improves knowledge of procurement, which will help procurement officers to create effective procurement practice, which can save time, cost, and achieving project objectives. This research used agency theory, legitimacy theory and linear policy model owing to the product their pertinence in assessing the role of product procurement practices on public project implementation. In conducting this study, a descriptive study design and correlation regression size effect was used with a mixed research approach. A sample size of 154 was selected among 250 target population. The researcher chose respondents though simple random technique and key informants were selected purposively. Information was obtained using questionnaire survey and interviews. The study ensured reliability and validity by conducting a pretest. The researcher analyzed data through the use of descriptive statistics in term of frequency, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Moreover, inferential statistics was used to provide regression size effect between research variables in accordance with each specific objectives. Results from the first objective show  that AEE has implemented public project successfully owing to effective procurement planning (34.0%),personnel in charge of procurement knows how to design procurement process are done, (40.1%), procurement plans enough explanation on procurement requirements (40.1%), the expected budget of the requirement (61.8%). Results to the second objective felt that AEE has procurement training (40.1%), inadequate training in procurement practices stimulates poor low performance (55.9%), documents of procurement policies that guide training (59.8%). Results to the third objective felt the AEE comply with adequate rules and regulation in choosing suppliers (30.2%), the supplier choice procedure respect all requirements establish (56.6%), the competency of suppliers is suitably assessed in making decision on persons to be selected for supplying products (74.3%). From the results, the study recommends that public institution should encourage firms to select the suitable abilities suppliers who are capable to provide goods in a high quality. Project managers should make sufficient funds for knowing procurement capacity building. Similar studies should be done in other public sector procurement entities or faith based organization in Rwanda. Further studies should investigate in details influence of supplier selection have to the compliance or organizational success in the public sector organizations. Keywords: Procurement Practice, Procurement Planning, Procurement Professionalism, Procurement Supplier Selection, Public Project Implementation.

Culinary practices and pottery use in Minoan Crete. Integrating lipidic residue analysis in the study of cooking vessels from Sissi and Malia

Minoan cooking practices and subsistence strategies have been an integral part of the archaeological discourse in Aegean prehistory for the past 20 years, although the focus was largely on feasting deposits and food consumption. Given that the spectrum of human activities related with food production and preparation is wide and complex, shedding light on pottery use can reveal important information on the resources available and the practices of cooking involved, as well as their social repercussions.We report on the analytical investigation of cooking vessels from two neighboring Minoan settlements, Sissi and Malia, both located in north east Crete. In particular, eleven (11) samples were selected from cooking pottery excavated in Area Pi, district of the Malia palace dated to the Neopalatial period. Another twenty-nine (29) cooking pottery samples were chosen from Sissi dated from Neopalatial to Postpalatial periods and therefore extending the chronological scope of the project. Molecular analysis was implemented, as part of an integrated approach on study of cooking vessels, aiming at exploring the resources available, food habits and vessel use during Middle and Late Minoan period. To this end different vessels of common cooking types were analysed, such as tripod cooking pots, cooking jars and cooking dishes. The data generated revealed the use of beeswax and Pinaceae resins, as well as the preservation of lipids derived from plant and animal fats.Significant data on vessel use through time was generated, providing significant insights on the manifold relationship between food procurement, preparation and consumption practices and on the potential of new research methods in their investigation in Minoan Crete.