An investigation into design and performance of supply chains for public procurement projects

Abstract

This study provides new insight into current and emerging supply chain approaches and related power relations deriving from public procurement processes within Local Authorities (LAs). Drawing on a mixed-method empirical research (involving data from LAs across the Yorkshire and Humber region of the United Kingdom) this research examines stakeholder pressures, paying particular attention to principal-agent and dependency relationships between public sector and private companies in public procurement projects. Resource Dependency Theory is used as the theoretical framework to support the study. The paper presents and critically evaluates across a set of dimensions, four models of supply chain archetypes deriving from the implementation public procurement projects. These archetypes identify key stakeholders and determine power relations between main contractors, sub-contractors, government agencies and LAs for the delivery of public sector projects. The research carried out in this paper can inform practice, policy and research in aiding public organizations such as LAs in the design of projects before the procurement stage. Also, the research provides useful insight on how the procurement process can serve as a mechanism for LAs to manage activities of agents in order to achieve a range of objectives.

Keywords:

• Public procurement
• supply chains
• supply chain archetypes

Notes

1 All the rounds of coding were performed independently by all the authors; a kappa-type measure was employed in order to keep track of disagreements. The few cases of disagreements were dealt with through a collective discussion for reaching consensus.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrea Genovese

Andrea Genovese is a Professor in Logistics and Supply Chain Management at Sheffield University Management School. His primary research interest lies in the development and application of decision support methodologies (based on both qualitative and quantitative approaches) in order to solve complex problems in the field of Supply Chain Management, with a special emphasis on Environmental and Social Sustainability aspects and big societal challenges. His recent research has been focusing on the transition towards a Circular Economy; within this context, he has been leading major EU-funded projects.

Jon Morris

Dr Jon Morris is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at TU Dresden, researching sustainability topics relating to strategic management at the interface between business and governance. His research interests include supply chain management, local and regional environmental governance, and resource efficiency. He is involved in projects involving stakeholders to tackle environmental issues in the context of water and energy efficiency, lifecycle carbon reduction, and evaluating business strategies to deal with resource management and environmental related risks.

S.C.L. Koh

Professor Lenny Koh is the Founder and Director of the Advanced Resource Efficiency Centre (AREC) and Centre for Energy, Environment and Sustainability (CEES) at the University of Sheffield. Her work has advanced the understanding and resolution of complex resource efficiency and sustainability issues using interdisciplinary approaches crossing supply chain management and information systems domains. Her research is recognised for its scientific novelty and has generated significant impact for society, government and industry. This includes the pioneering of a cloud-based supply chain environmental analytic and digitalisation tool (SCEnAT suites) and as PI leading the £15.76 million BIG Energy Upgrade / Energy Innovation for Deprived Communities.

Adolf Acquaye

Dr Adolf Acquaye is a Reader in Sustainability at Kent Business School. He obtained his PhD in the research area of Energy, Environment and Sustainability from Dublin Institute of Technology, Ireland and a Master's Degree in Engineering for Sustainable Development from the University of Cambridge, UK. Prior to joining Kent Business School, Dr Acquaye was a Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield Management School and the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York. Dr Acquaye has been appointed as Lead Author for the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), 2018-2021.