bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Procuring expertise: the case of local government water and sewer rate analyses
Authors: Gianakis Gerasimos A. , Wang XiaoHu
Published: December 2018

Local governments are often forced to purchase expertise for non-recurring analyses, such as rate setting for water and sewer services, because it is not cost-effective for these governments to maintain such expertise in-house or because independent analyses are preferred by watch-dog agencies or mandated by state statutes. However, like many ostensibly value-neutral analytical studies, these studies inevitably entail policy choices of which elected policy makers may not be aware. External analysts may not be aware of idiosyncratic factors, and they apply boilerplate perspectives that may not be responsive to local preferences. These perspectives limit policy options, although they may appear to be value-neutral. Policy makers must take an active role in these analytical studies in order to ensure that local preferences and specific factors are considered. Citizen committees comprised of residents with the necessary expertise, or experts from local colleges and universities may be able to provide the necessary oversight.
Drivers of compensation of heads of procurement units, supervisors, and materials managers in the public sector
Authors: Alkadry Mohamad G.
Published: December 2018

This article examines the determinants of salaries of heads of public procurement units. Specifically, it investigates the effect of gender, budget size, supervisory responsibilities, experience, authority level, education, certification, age, cost of living and labor market competition on the compensation of purchasing supervisors and heads of purchasing units. The article uses multiple linear regression and analysis of variance to conclude that drivers of compensation of public procurement executives and managers in the public sector are different than those in the private sector or in other industries.
Evolutionary acquisition: an analysis of defense procurement and recommendations for expanded use1
Authors: Novak Ryan M. , Sthultz Trevor T. , Reed Timothy S. , Wood Christopher C. , Kirstein Jesse A. , Whittle Jason A.
Published: December 2018

United States Air Force (USAF) acquisition programs have historically suffered from extended acquisition cycle times and cost and schedule overruns. Department of Defense senior leadership has called for "transformation" of the acquisition process. In this article, we investigate an Evolutionary Acquisition (EA) strategy and the spiral development process. This article presents the case study analysis of three USAF acquisition programs: Global Hawk, B-2 Bomber, and Unmanned Combat Air Vehicle (UCAV). Data were collected through extensive literature review, interviews with acquisition experts from the three program offices, and completed questionnaires from members of Air Force Materiel Command’s (AFMC) Acquisition Center of Excellence (ACE), Aeronautical Systems Center’s (ASC) Transformation Team, and ASC’s ACE.
The world bank e-Procurement for the selection of consultants: challenges and lessons learned
Authors: Leipold Knut , Klemow Jason , Holloway Francine , Vaidya Kishor
Published: December 2018

This paper introduces and examines the implementation of the World Bank's electronic procurement initiative for the selection of consultants, which is expected to foster consistency of practice worldwide, increase transparency and competition, and minimize processing time and effort. Following the description of functionalities and benefits of the system, this paper discusses the challenges encountered and lessons learned during the implementation process in terms of critical success factors (CSF).
Pan-american health organization’s humanitarian supply management system: de-politicization of the humanitarian supply chain by creating accountability
Authors: Tomasini Rolando M. , Van Wassenhove Luk N.
Published: December 2018

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has developed a humanitarian supply management system (SUMA) that records, tracks and reports the flow of donations and purchased goods into a disaster area. While a lot of the received goods are in-kind donations, there is a procurement process triggered by the cash funds to meet specific needs. This procurement process also needs to comply with the humanitarian principles, and is therefore susceptible to manipulations from different stakeholders. SUMA has contributed to all the different deployments with the ability to build transparency and accountability in complex operations. These two contributions help to isolate the political factors from the supply chain and protect the humanitarian principles and space.
Overcoming demand management problems: The scope for improving reactive and proactive supply management in the uk health service
Authors: Cox Andrew , Chicksand Dan , Ireland Paul
Published: December 2018

This paper demonstrates, using empirical cases from the National Health Services (NHS), how existing practices in demand specification, procurement and supply management fail to address the significant problems caused by the misalignment of demand and supply. When examining internal demand management a number of problems arise including: product overspecification, premature establishment of design and specification, frequent changes in specification, poor demand information, fragmentation of spend, maverick buying, inter-departmental power and politics, and the risk-averse nature and culture of the organisation. It is argued that unless these problems are addressed and eliminated the NHS will not be in a position to select the most appropriate reactive or proactive approach from the range of sourcing options available. An improvement path that NHS Trusts might follow to achieve more efficient and effective procurement and supply management is outlined.
E-procurement management in state governments: Diffusion of e-procurement practices and its determinants
Authors: Moon M. Jae
Published: December 2018

State governments have begun to introduce various eprocurement tools to improve inefficient and ineffective procurement management; however, few empirical studies have documented the diffusion of e-procurement. This study uses data collected from state procurement agencies to examine which e-procurement tools state governments are using as well as to explore what factors affect the adoption of these tools. This study confirms that simple innovations are more rapidly diffused than those that are technically or legally complex. State governments that are more likely to adopt e-procurement tools tend to be larger, managerially innovative, and to have a strong centralized procurement office. Overall, e-procurement is promising technology, but managerial and technical challenges still remain.
Measurement issues in performance-based logistics
Authors: Doerr Kenneth , Lewis Ira , Eaton Donald R.
Published: December 2018

Performance Based Logistics (PBL) is an acquisition reform that is intended to improve weapon systems logistics by reducing cost, improving reliability, and reducing footprint. PBL is an extension of a broad process of rationalizing and, in many cases, outsourcing government services. As with other examples of governmental service outsourcing, measurement issues arise in the gap between governmental objectives and service measurement, and in the contrast between clear profit-centered vendor metrics, and more complex mission-oriented governmental metrics. Beyond this, however, PBL presents new challenges to the relationship between governmental agencies and their service vendors. In many cases, weapons systems logistical support involves levels of operational risk that are more difficult to measure and more difficult to value than other government services. We discuss the implications of operational risk and other measurement issues on PBL implementation.
Staff assistance visit: Bridging the gap between headquarters and the operational contracting officer
Authors: Piper Bernard
Published: December 2018

The Staff Assistance Visit Program (SAV) is an important tool used by the Department of State’s Procurement Executive since 1995 to support the Department’s overseas contracting operations. The program is structured much differently from a formal contract compliance review. The SAV’s purpose is to improve relationships between the field and headquarters. Also, the program provides hands-on expertise to improve operations. During the visit, the SAV team works to reinforce existing training, solve real problems, and improve communications with the contracting office and its clients. The program consistently demonstrates its value of assisting geographically dispersed contracting officers overcome the numerous contracting challenges that they encounter around the world.
Strategic procurement in the public sector: A mask for financial and administrative policy
Authors: Matthews Darin
Published: December 2018

As government responds to demands to become more efficient and effective, procurement professionals are expected to focus primarily on the strategic aspects of procurement and less on routine transactions. In reality, public procurement masks the ability of government to transform taxes and other revenues into consumption by government institutions at federal, state and local levels, ostensibly for the public good. Public purchasers are told by their professional institutions and their private sector peers to be more proactive and less reactive in order to add greater value to their organization. However, tradition has decreed that procurement processes are managed by “unglamorous individuals” (Stewart, 1994) who are required, first and foremost, to satisfy the complex accountability processes of the government, an administrative principle, which is reinforced by recent failures of corporate financial governance. Furthermore, a search of contemporary literature shows little evidence that public procurement has penetrated the theoretical boundaries of public management or strategic management despite the profession's efforts over more than a decade to develop its profile. This paper explores two contemporary dilemmas: the boundaries of public procurement within the context of public administration and the mask of public accountability, which impedes the integration of public procurement into public administration (PA) and strategic theory.
Examining discriminatory procurement practices in developing countries
Authors: Ssennoga Francis
Published: December 2018

Developing countries face a problem of making a decision of opening up public procurement markets to all suppliers irrespective of their country of origin. The perceived benefit of opening up procurement markets (non-discriminatory practices) is that it enhances competitiveness, leading to efficient public resources utilisation. Governments discriminating against foreign firms in favour of local suppliers are motivated by the desire to achieve benefits such as, stimulating infant industries, fostering underdeveloped regions and creating employment. This paper examines both arguments and makes recommendations as to how developing countries could open up procurement markets without losing their social and economic objectives.
Procurement leadership: from means to ends
Authors: Snider Keith F.
Published: December 2018

Procurement is often perceived as a tactical rather than a strategic function. Such perceptions result from the way procurement is usually defined as beginning after a need has been identified. Procurement thus focuses on tactical decisions involving means rather than on strategic decisions involving ends. For procurement to become strategic, procurement professionals must be recognized as having legitimate leadership roles in determining organizational ends. The paper presents two conceptual frameworks to move procurement in this direction. The first-pragmatism-resolves the dichotomy between ends and means. The second-a conservator model of agency leadership-highlights the importance of promoting and maintaining public procurement's institutional integrity. Together, these may equip procurement professionals to adopt leadership roles in strategic organizational decision making.
Hybrid organisations in the provision of local public services
Authors: Fornengo Graziella , Ottoz Elisabetta
Published: December 2018

The aim of this work is to investigate the risk of anti competitive behaviour implied by temporary groups of service providers. The point bears policy implications as local authorities, following European Union directives, have stressed the role of such alliances in the public procurement of services. We first summarize the fragmented literature on temporary horizontal alliances in public works and services. We then deal with a case study on local public transport in order to evaluate the performance of temporary groups of service providers. The coopetitive perspective is finally discussed as an explanation stressing that, within firms’ groups, both processes of value creation and value sharing take place.
Engagement versus disengagement: How structural and commercially-based regulatory changes have increased government risks in federal acquisitions
Authors: Yoder Elliott Cory
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this working paper is to highlight the challenges and associated risks Federal contracting officers face while conducting business under commercially-based contracting legislation and, with concurrent reductions in the acquisition workforce, the potential risks these changes place on the taxpayer. The researcher's thorough review of published articles, along with collegiate discussions with prominent practitioners and academics indicates that the Federal Government may be exposed to increased risks due to recent commercial-practice legislation and structural changes in the acquisition work force. The past decade-long wave of acquisition work-force reductions and commercially inspired acquisition reforms has created a responsive and progressive business environment. Yet, it has done so at the cost of the Federal government becoming less "engaged" in key oversight and management functions. This disengagement may be exposing Federal contracting officers and taxpayers to greater financial, programmatic and performance risks.
Flexible procurement approaches that facilitate relationship change and negotiation: The use of the invitation to negotiate
Authors: Lawther Wendell C.
Published: December 2018

The effectiveness of innovative procurement practices, illustrated at the US federal level by Performance Based Service Contracting and other best value approaches, depends upon changes in the public procurement organizational culture. These changes require agency officials to establish new relationships with contractors, as the challenges of acquiring complex as well as highly customized goods/services is best met through flexibility and negotiation throughout the life of the acquisition. Using procurement approaches that provide maximum flexibility provide challenges to public managers, as choices regarding negotiation include the content as well as the intensity and duration of negotiation sessions. The use of the Invitation to Negotiate (ITN) approach by the State of Florida is one example of an approach that allows flexibility and facilitates different relationships with contractors. Two case studies, from the Departments of Transportation and Management Services illustrate the use of ITN.
Use of e-procurement in turkey’s public health sector
Authors: Alsac Umit
Published: December 2018

Health sector is one of the most important sectors when the size of spending and the number of people and organizations involved are considered. An important characteristic of this sector is the dominance of governments as health care providers and/or financers. This fact has important procurement policy implications. This paper gives a detailed overview of the health sector in Turkey and issues surrounding public procurement in this sector. It presents a model for implementation of eprocurement in Turkey’s public health sector, a discussion about the extent to which e-procurement can solve prevailing problems and suggestions to improve procurement in this sector.
Procurement process maturity: key to performance measurement
Authors: Rendon Rene G.
Published: December 2018

Performance measurement has been receiving increased attention in public organizations. As performance measurement systems begin to take on a central focus by public sector organizations, the challenges of measuring and improving critical organizational processes continue to increase in importance. Furthermore, as the procurement process continues to gain critical importance in public sector organizations, the need to apply specific performance measurement methods to measure and improve the procurement processes is essential for mission success. This article introduces the Contract Management Maturity Model (CMMM) as a method for assessing, measuring, and improving an organization’s procurement processes. The results of the case study describe the organizational benefits of using a contract management maturity model as a performance measurement, as well as a process improvement method.
Improving procurement through regression analysis: A case study of predicting argentine jet fuel prices
Authors: Salaverry Juan A. , White III Edward D.
Published: December 2018

Of all oil products consumed by the Argentine Air Force (AAF), jet fuel is the resource with highest demand and at the end of the day the most expensive support item procured by the AAF. Accurate predictions of Argentine jet fuel prices are necessary to improve AAF financial and logistics planning. Multiple regression analysis is one such tool that can aid in accurately forecasting the amount required when procuring this valuable commodity. Using this methodology, we develop and illustrate a highly predictive model that has an adjusted R2 of 0.98 and an average percentage absolute error of 4%.
The purchase of technology in health organisations: an analysis of its impact on performance
Authors: Ancarani Alessandro , Di Mauro Carmela , Daniela Giammanco M.
Published: December 2018

The paper presents an investigation carried out in an Italian health organisation, aimed at studying the purchasing process of medical equipment at the hospital ward level, and at assessing its impact on hospital ward performance. A model of the decision process that leads to purchase is developed. The results show that the acquisition of technology has a positive impact on the ward's relative efficiency, and that efficiency is further linked to the specific goals pursued by the head of ward and by the constraints faced.
Horizontal policies in public procurement: a taxonomy
Authors: Arrowsmith Sue
Published: December 2018

Public procurement is widely used to promote objectives of an economic, environmental and social nature, such as the economic development of disadvantaged social groups. This article elaborates a detailed taxonomy of such “horizontal” policies. This study is valuable, first, to facilitate analysis of the practical phenomenon of horizontal policies and of the policy implications of different approaches and, second, to illuminate and develop the relevant regulatory frameworks under national and international regimes. The taxonomy is based on three key distinctions between the following: 1. policies limited to securing compliance with legal requirements and those that go beyond such requirements; 2. policies applied only to the contract awarded and those that go beyond it; and 3. nine different mechanisms by which policies are implemented in the procurement process.
EMERGING ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT IN RUSSIA’S REGIONAL GOVERNMENTS
Authors: McHenry William K. , Pryamonosov Denis
Published: December 2018

This paper examines the results of the first year of the new Russian state procurement law, 94-FZ, through the lens of the 88 regional government web portals created to implement it. Benchmarks are developed and applied to them, comparing results with two contemporaneous Russian studies. Almost all regions have provided core information provision functions, but other missing features and the lack of automation mean that more than half may have done little more than fulfill formal requirements. More website features do seem to correspond to more transparency, but the law and the web portals have done little so far to combat endemic, institutional corruption of the state procurement process.
Psychological climate, catharsis, organizational anomie, psychological wellness and ethical procurement behaviour in ugandaʼs public sector
Authors: Ntayi Joseph Mpeera , Ahiauzu Augustine , Eyaa Sarah
Published: December 2018

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between psychological climate, catharsis, organizational anomie, psychological wellness and ethical procurement behaviour in Ugandaʼs public sector, in order to understand better the conditions that foster or diminish procurement ethics in a developing country. Data for this study were collected from a sample of 1100 respondents out of which 460 usable questionnaires, representing a 42% response rate were received and analyzed. Results reveal that psychological climate, procurement planning and organizational anomie were significant predictors, accounting for 64% of the variance in ethical procurement behaviour. These results have both policy and managerial implications which we present and discuss in this paper.
A detailed analysis of the relationship between contract administration problems and contract types
Authors: Davison Bill , Sebastian Richard J.
Published: December 2018

Guided by a conceptual model developed by Davison and Wright (2004), Davison and Sebastian (2009) surveyed National Institute of Government Purchasing (NIGP) and Institute of Supply Management (ISM) members to determine empirically which types of contract administration problems (e.g., delays) were perceived as most likely for seven types of contracts (e.g., small supplies and purchases). The mean ratings of the perceived occurrence of the ten problems for each contract problem were reported. The types of contract that had the greatest overall perceived occurrence of problems across all problem types and the types of problem that were perceived to be the most common across all contract types were also reported. This research extends these analyses by examining specifically which types of contract administration problems were perceived to be most common for each of the seven contract types and by examining which contract types were perceived to be most affected by the ten contract administration problems. The implications of the research results for procurement professionals and the limitations of the research are discussed.
Reconciling incongruous policy objectives and benchmarking kenyaʼs public procurement law: a review of the selex case1
Authors: Thiankolu Muthomi
Published: December 2018

This article critically examines the policy objectives underlying Kenyaʼs public procurement system, as set out in the countryʼs Public Procurement and Disposal Act, 2005 (“the Procurement Act” or “the Act”). The drafters of the Act made subtle but significant deviations from the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Model Law on Procurement of Goods, Construction and Services (“the Model Procurement Law”).2 Due to the deviations, there are many serious conflicts within the Act, and between the Act and other Kenyan laws. Accordingly, there is need for a comprehensive review of the Procurement Act.
Services supply chain in the united states navy: an empirical study of current management practices
Authors: Apte Aruna , Apte Uday M. , G. Rendon Rene
Published: December 2018

Services acquisition in the US Department of Defense (DoD) has continued to increase in scope and dollars in the past decade with over $200 billion spent for services in 2008. In this empirical study, we conducted a web-based survey to collect primary data on management practices in services acquisition in the U. S. Navy and studied such areas as contract characteristics, management approaches, and program management issues. The paper presents summary results of our survey, implications of current management practices, and recommendations useful for improving services acquisition in the Navy.
Public procurement through performance-based logistics: Conceptual underpinnings and empirical insights
Authors: Kleemann Florian C. , Glas Andreas , Essig Michael
Published: December 2018

Faced with reduced budgets and rising service expectations, public authorities are increasingly cooperating with private businesses. This paper examines an alternative procurement- and service delivery concept, Performance-based Logistics (PBL). It has been introduced by the US and UK armed forces. However, other nations, such as Germany, are still reluctant to follow. This article has two aims: First, to identify the conceptual characteristics of PBL, and second, to analyze potential reasons why although PBL is popular in some nations, others are so reluctant to introduce it. This will be done using a mixed method approach. The concept of PBL will be introduced by deductively developing a conceptual model of PBL using a business model framework. The analysis of PBL application will be performed using an in-depth case study from the German defense sector. This will be framed by a literature review and concluded by managerial recommendations.
Case studies of bid-rigging and procurement reform assessment in fuel oil supply in Japan and Korea
Authors: Arai Koki
Published: December 2018

In November 1999, the Japanese Fair Trade Commission took legal action against participants in bids for oil delivery work ordered by the Self-Defense Forces. Then, in September 2000, the Korean Fair Trade Commission took legal action against participants in bids for oil delivery work ordered by the Korean Ministry of National Defense. These actions were not related, though there are similarities between the cases, each of which involves oil delivery companies obtaining special procurement privileges through deals with national security authorities. Study of these cases led to speculation as why the industry is conductive to collusion. According to the study three important results were recognized: Several measures in the plan for Japanese and Korean procurement reform were then analyzed. The implementation can clarify issues that are important for eradicating the participantsyʼ incentives for collusion.
A model to measure e-procurement impacts on organizational performance
Authors: Gardenal Francesco
Published: December 2018

This paper presents a model for Public Contracting Authorities to quantify procurement performance benefits that can be achieved by adopting e-procurement. It has been found that e-procurement could generate positive impacts, especially on the efficiency, effectiveness, dematerialization, competitiveness and transparency impact dimensions. Adopting e-procurement in the public sector is far more than just a technological challenge; it embodies a large scale change management effort to create a more efficient procurement culture. Using the performance measurement approach herewith presented helps to tackle this challenge, stimulating the effective use of e-procurement solutions. Measuring how eprocurement is contributing to optimize public expenditure by increasing organizational performances; can help to overcome the resistance to change. Plus, this model can be used to strengthen stakeholder accountability of both Contracting Authorities and public e-procurement service providers. The model has been consistently tested over the last four years with satisfactory results confirming the hypothesis; the case study is herewith exposed. The model can be applied in different context, therefore method and practical recommendations are also provided.
The logic of estimation: Describing the budgetary work of program managers
Authors: Ervin Osbin L.
Published: December 2018

In estimating budgetary needs, public managers focus on the major elements in delivery of public services, resources, work, and objectives/results. The flow of reasoning is backward along the process of service delivery--from objectives, to the work plan, to resource requirements. This understanding or model of budgeting, called “the logic of estimation,” is prominent in budgetary texts and other public administration literature, but it deserves additional attention and elaboration. Such effort at new attention shows the origins and development of the model in the public administration literature of the last half century, and the literature of an even longer period provides further concepts and measures by which the manager estimates. This new attention and elaboration holds benefits for teaching, research, and practice alike, and the current efforts toward results-oriented budgeting make it especially appropriate today.
An appraisal of the use of social criteria in public procurement in Nigeria
Authors: Akenroye Temidayo O.
Published: December 2018

Socially responsible procurement is increasingly attracting public attention, but little is known about the use of social requirements in public procurement process in developing countries. This study explores the use of social criteria in public procurement in Nigeria. Data was collected from two websites being used for advertising public sector contract opportunities in Nigeria and by means of a questionnaire. Results show that public procurement is mostly used to promote a range of government policies and programmes. Based on the findings from this study, it cannot be concluded that a milestone has been reached in the use of public procurement to drive social benefits in Nigeria. The extent to which the findings of this study could be generalised is limited, because the findings are based on analysis of tender documents and a smallsized convenience sample of public procurement experts. A larger sample size may lead to improved accuracy or dissimilar results. Nevertheless, the research offers some baseline data against which future studies on social procurement can be conducted and evaluated.
Determining ‘the most economically advantageous tender’ based on capability and fee-percentage criteria
Authors: Lahdenperä Pertti
Published: December 2018

Early involvement of the construction team is increasingly utilized in demanding projects to incorporate versatile expertise in their planning. For public owners this is a challenge since they are obliged to use competitive, transparent team selection based on the ‘most economically advantageous’ criterion which ensures that both price and quality viewpoints are taken into account. In the case of early involvement, the price component naturally does not include the total price, but may consist only of the fee-percentages of competing service providers. This study examines such a selection situation in project alliancing in the European context and seeks to find a way to integrate the fee component in a multi-criteria selection system and determine reasonable fees for different levels of capabilities. The study builds on the performance difference between different capabilities, derived from a survey of practitioners, and determines an indifference curve arithmetically for the planning of a selection method. The influence of the owner‘s risk attitude and risk premiums are also considered exploratively based on the pricing methods of the theory of finance.
The politics of bounded procurement: Purists, brokers and the politics-procurement dichotomy
Authors: Roman Alexandru V.
Published: December 2018

The last two decades have witnessed a tremendous growth in the body of literature addressing the importance and the impact of contracting and public procurement within the context of devolution of government. The austere budgetary and financial outlooks of the future suggest that the significance of the area will only continue to grow. As such, generating explanatory frameworks, within dimensions such as decisionmaking and accountability in public procurement, becomes crucial. Drawing from original research this article suggests one possible frame for understanding administrative decision-making in complex environments. Based on semi-structured interviews with public procurement specialists, the study identifies two decision-making patterns− broker and purist. It is asserted that the decision-making dynamics exhibited by administrators are contingent on their perceptions regarding environmental instability, in particular the political volatility surrounding their work.
The 2010 “agreement on mutual enforcement of debarment decisions” and its impact for the fight against fraud and corruption in public procurement
Authors: Nesti Lorenzo
Published: December 2018

A remarkable example of coordination between IGOs to deal with corruption and fraud in public procurement is the “Agreement for the Mutual Enforcement of Debarment Decisions” signed by the World Bank and the main regional Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in 2010. This article will try to examine the characteristics of the MDBsʼ cross debarment agreement and its significance for the MDBs that adhered to it in terms of the process of harmonization that resulted from it. Secondly, the article discusses the potential benefits and challenges connected to the extension of this agreement to other MDBs or to other initiatives that have been initiated in parallel to, or in imitation of, the MDBsʼ cross debarment agreement.
Leveraging strategic sourcing and knowledge management to improve the acquisition of knowledgebased services
Authors: Hawkins Timothy G. , Nissen Mark E. , Rendon Rene G.
Published: December 2018

Knowledge-based services (KBS) comprise a major portion of services acquired by public organizations. However, their procurement is not well managed; consequently, inefficiencies abound. Therefore, this study explores whether and how KBS can be sourced more efficiently by examining best practices and precepts from knowledge management theory. A spend analysis of one agencyʼs spend is used to identify the types of KBS procured. Interviews from 12 cases are then used to identify best practices and cost drivers in sourcing KBS. Twenty one recommendations for improving efficiency in sourcing KBS are offered. The findings suggest that potential is available from demand reduction strategies, and that public policy governing the procurement of knowledge is needed. The research concludes with theoretical implications and suggestions for future research.
Auditing procurement contracts for defense material in Spain: In the footsteps of the U.S. model
Authors: Aguado-Romero José , López-Hernández Antonio M. , Vera-Ríos Simón
Published: December 2018

In Spain contract auditing has been applied since 1988 to determine the final cost of defense procurement contracts. In this respect, the Spanish Department of Defense takes the US methodology as a reference model, and therefore it may be useful to study the degree of convergence between the two models. The main objective of this paper is to analyze the degree to which the US contract auditing model for the procurement of defense materiel has influenced the system applied in Spain. Accordingly, the comparative method is used to highlight the main features of the contract auditing models used by the Spanish and the US Departments of Defense. The results obtained show that the methodology used by Spain is not an original approach, but that there is only a low degree of convergence with the US model.
Exploring legitimacy in major public procurement projects
Authors: Russell Colette , Meehan Joanne
Published: December 2018

In the UK, major IT public procurement projects regularly fail at significant cost to the taxpayer. The prevalence of these failures presents scholars with a challenge; to both understand their genesis and to facilitate learning and prevention. Functional approaches have revealed numerous determinants of failure ranging from procurement specifications to risk escalation, but true and definitive causes remain elusive. However, since failure is not itself an absolute truth, but rather a concept which is reached when support is withdrawn, the survival of a project depends on there being sufficient belief in its legitimacy. We use critical hermeneutic methods and the conceptual lens of legitimacy to reveal powerful legitimating influences that enable and constrain action, but which are not analysed in the retrospective government inquiries that determine lessons learned.
Impact of contract bundling and consolidation on defense acquisition system and defense industrial base: The case of the u.s. department of the navy
Authors: Kidalov Max V.
Published: December 2018

Despite Congressional and Presidential emphasis on reducing bundling and consolidation of defense contracts, recent studies cast doubt on whether such practices are problematic for small contractors or the defense acquisition system. Those studies proposed that bundling and consolidation are generally positive tools to procure best value. This paper tests these propositions by examining relevant U.S. Department of the Navy (DON) contracts for Fiscal Year 2010, when Congress reported record bundling and consolidation in U.S. defense contracting. Specifically, the paper looks to performance of Navy and Marine Corps buying commands in meeting small business goals and other good-government objectives such as competition, performance-based acquisitions, preference for commercial suppliers, and support for the U.S. defense industrial base. The paper recommends improvements in targeted good-government practices as measures to reduce bundling and consolidation.
Public procurement specialists: They are not who we thought they were
Authors: Roman Alexandru V.
Published: December 2018

Recently there has been an impressive growth in the scholarly literature on public procurement. The study of the administrative roles assumed by public procurement specialists is, however, one area that remains largely underexplored. Somewhat curiously, the professionals making a career in the field are often an afterthought when it comes to empirical research. Outside of anecdotal accounts, there is little that is known in terms of the roles that procurement specialists assume on daily basis. In this respect, there is an important knowledge gap within the field's body of literature. This article attempts to address this knowledge gap through an exploratory empirical evaluation of the administrative behaviors of public procurement specialists.
Integrating contract management practices into the achievement of value for money in tanzania public procurement: Evidence from selected procuring entities in moshi municipality
Authors: Mchopa Alban
Published: December 2018

Contract management is an important activity in public procurement especially on executing development projects while aiming at value for money. On the contrary, reports from the Public Procurement Regulatory Authority show that funds have been wasted due to poor contract management practices hindering value for money achievement. Hence, the study aimed at assessing the contribution contracts management practices towards value for money achievement. Questionnaires and Interviews were used for data collection and findings revealed that contracts contained all the necessary conditions, contracts practices of time management, quality management and costs control were effective and resulted into value for money achievement. Therefore, value for money was achieved above average scale by considering qualitative measures and it was recommended that more efforts are needed to enhance supervision and enforce defect liability clause.
Complex products and comprehensive service agreements: A case study of outsourcing in contract cities
Authors: Brien Spencer T. , Hine Leslie L.
Published: December 2018

This study investigates how outsourcing multiple public functions in a single contract increases the complexity of the services rendered under the agreement. We hypothesize that product complexity arises in these bundled service agreements due to several factors including diseconomies of scope, the 'lock-in' problem, and communications problems between the contractor, the government and the public. We investigate these questions using a textual analysis research methodology to examine the initial contract documents that formalized an agreement between the City of Sandy Springs Georgia and the firm CH2M Hill. The results of this qualitative study identified several ways that different combinations of functions increased product complexity. It also revealed ways the contracts were designed to mitigate the risks of outsourcing multiple functions in a single contract.
Do key performance indicators matter on public procurement rules 2008? An empirical study on local government engineering department, bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Mahfuzar , Das Amrita Kumar , Islam Zohurul
Published: December 2018

This study focuses on the importance of transparency and accountability of Local Government Engineering Department (LGED)'s procurement performance based on 45 predetermined Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). The main objectives of this study are to find the extent of compliance of PPR 2008 by LGED and to identify gaps in compliance and scope of improvement for implementation. For this study, a questionnaire survey method collected data from different stakeholders related to procurement activities of LGED. Key informant interviews were also conducted with senior officers of LGED and IMED. The study result shows a clear adherence to the rules of PPR 2008 by LGED in operating its procurement functions except when paying interest for delayed payment. This study was confined to compliance issues covering 11 KPIs set by the Central Procurement Technical Unit (CPTU).
Measuring efficiency in international public procurement
Authors: Kumar Anjali , Nair Arvind , Piecha Juliane
Published: December 2018

Procurement efficiency as an element of public performance management can contribute to achieving Value for Money by reducing administrative overhead costs and directing resources to support more complex procurement processes. This paper highlights empirical techniques to understand determinants of efficiency in the procurement cycle focusing on elapsed time taken and drawing on a unique dataset on the procurement process within the World Bank. The study finds that different methods of bidding, whether international or domestic, and contract attributes partially explain differences in the duration of procurement processes.
Making sense of public-private partnerships (p3s)
Authors: Martin Lawrence L.
Published: December 2018

This article argues that confusion exists as to exactly what constitutes a public-private partnership (P3). This confusion, it is maintained, creates problems for public procurement professionals when advising elected officials and government administrators on the appropriate uses of P3s. The article looks first at the imprecise language used by organizations (governments and others) to define, describe and discuss P3s. A proposed consensus definition of P3s is then introduced together with an accompanying proposed taxonomy of P3 types. The article then demonstrates how the proposed consensus definition and taxonomy can bring more clarity to discussions about P3s and their uses. The article concludes by suggesting that some public procurement standard setting organization should undertake the task of developing and promulgating more prescriptive guidance on P3s.
Collusion between public procurers and suppliers in the context of japan’s public procurement: The role of the risks of “unsuccessful procurement”
Authors: Tanaka Satoru , Hayashi Shuya
Published: December 2018

This paper examines the economic forces which may lead to government-assisted or -facilitated bid-rigging (kansei-dango) in public procurement in Japan, and considers their implications. A public official may often worry about situations where his/her procurement project will not be successfully implemented. Based on a simplified theoretical treatment and on case studies of kansei-dango, it is argued that the desire to avert the risk of unsuccessful procurement resulting from the "experience goods" status of procured goods and/or services may be one reason for bid-rigging. Based on this understanding of kansei-dango, we discuss some implications for policies to restrain this type of corruption.
Implementation of sustainable public procurement practices and policies: A sorting framework
Authors: Prier Eric , Schwerin Edward , McCue Clifford P.
Published: December 2018

In general, there are many disincentives standing in the way of promoting change in public procurement practices by government agencies. Because engaging in sustainable purchasing requires some level of entrepreneurialism and risk-taking, a sorting framework is adopted to gauge whether some organizations are systematically more likely to pursue sustainable public purchasing (SPP) efforts than others. One-way analysis of variance and other methods are applied to a survey of public procurement practitioners across over 300 governments in the U.S. Results strongly suggest that agencies of various scope and reach tend to abstain from aggressively pursuing SPP efforts. However, when they do employ SPP, these efforts tend to be quite variable across and within levels of government and organizational size. In an effort to bridge theory with empirical data, a strong case can be made that the current state of SPP in the United States is the result of random and very cautious experimentation with little systematic pattern to SPP adoption.
Compliance to acts, rules and regulations: Evidence from sub-saharan africa
Authors: Mbago Musa , Ntayi Joseph M. , Muhwezi Moses
Published: December 2018

The purpose of the study is to develop and test an integrated compliance model using constructs derived from the legitimacy, deterrence, institutional and stewardship theories. A Cross-sectional survey design was used to collect data from a sample of 97 out of the population of 129 Procuring and Disposing Entities which are regulated by the Public Procurement and Disposal of Assets Authority Act (PPDA). Measurement items were derived from a critical review of literature and found to be both valid and reliable with Cronbach Alpha coefficient of 0.7. The findings reveal that legitimacy and stewardship behavior are significant predictors of compliance to the PPDA Act, Rules and Regulations. We therefore recommend that Procuring and Disposing Entities should continue legitimizing the procurement law through involvement of all stakeholders and promote stewardship behaviors among public employees.
Twelve years of scottish school public private partnerships: Are they better value for money?
Authors: Yaya Rizal
Published: December 2018

This research evaluates the value-for-money (VFM) obtained from public-private partnership (PPP) schools in Scotland, based on headteachers questionnaires, local authority interviews and Scottish School Estate Statistics. The period covered is 2000-2012, when 395 new schools were commissioned. The PPPs were better in building condition and maintenance standards and conventionally-financed schools were better in terms of teacher access and improvement in staff morale. There was transfer of knowledge whereby the high standards of the PPPs then became the new standards for the conventionally-financed schools. Concerns about PPP VFM relates to the high cost of unitary charges and contract inflexibilities. A higher percentage of headteachers of conventionally-financed schools (63.64%) considered their new schools resulted in good VFM compared to PPP schools (42.86%).