Ongoing research

An International Comparative Study of Sustainable Procurement

Dr Helen Walker, Senior Research Fellow, Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply (CRiSPS), University of Bath School of Management

With their increased commitment to sustainability, governments need to consider the social, economic and environmental outcomes of public procurement practices and decisions, and how these can be adapted to promote sustainable development (SD).

Whilst these issues have, to some extent, been addressed by commercial organizations with an interest in ‘corporate social responsibility’ and some public sector organizations, knowledge and expertise within the purchasing and supply academic community, and the international community of public procurement organizations and their officials remains relatively limited.

This one year research project funded by the British Academy aims to address this knowledge gap by conducting a comprehensive international comparative survey of sustainable procurement.