HOW PUBLIC PROCUREMENT CAN HELP SOCIETIES ACHIEVE SDGs: A CONCEPTUAL MODEL

Abstract

This study draws attention to how public procurement adds value and contributes to the achievement of the United Nation’s sustainable development goals (UN SDGs) based on an extensive literature review. A total of 29 peer-reviewed journal articles published between 2015-2022 with a focus on sustainable public procurement (SPP) practices and SDGs were retrieved from the Web of Science and Emerald databases for analysis. From the reviewed articles, we develop a conceptual model for better illustration and understanding of the link between SPP practices and SDGs. The model indicates that the achievement of SGDs can be influenced by four dimensions, namely: the underlying principles of SPP, the fundamental practices of SPP principles, the drivers of SPP principles, and the perceived roles of SPP practices which are aligned with the targets of UN SDGs. The analysis of the study revealed that SPP can impact up to 70% (12 out of 17) of UN SDGs. It is established that pubic procurement performs important functions in a diligent manner which adds value and delivers core services to societies, thus supporting the achievement of SDGs. Individual commitment and political will, strong enforcement and control mechanisms, continuous monitoring and assessment of the target areas, and offering inclusive solutions and shared visions among actors are identified as the drivers for building resilience in SPP and achievement of SDGs. The developed model could serve as a basis for identifying the deficiencies in SPP and achievement of SDGs for policy implications, reform, and future research domains.