Embedding Sustainability in the Public Procurement Framework of Developing Countries- An Empirical Analysis of the Lagos State Government

Abstract

The impact of sustainable public procurement on the achievement of the ‘triple bottom line’ goals of sustainable development is getting increased global attention, however, there is still a paucity of research studies on the effect of sustainable public procurement in developing countries. Developing countries are inundated with a myriad of environmental and socio-economic issues that hamper sustainable development; the notion of sustainable public procurement aims to ameliorate the effects of unsustainable anthropogenic human activities by influencing public procurement frameworks, practices and processes to facilitate a viable and feasible sustainable future. The purpose of this paper is to examine the embedding of sustainability in public procurement decisions in a developing country; in this case, the Lagos State public procurement environment. There are a few studies on the incorporation of sustainable procurement in the public sector of developing countries, this paper contributes to this emerging literature. The paper also contributes to the concepts of sustainability, procurement, the public sector and developing countries literature by amalgamating these four areas into one study.The paper utilised a quantitative approach; specific questionnaire items were developed to collect data relevant to the outlined objectives of the study. Questionnaires were sent to selected procurement professionals in the public sector in Lagos State. 97 questionnaires were returned representing a 48% response rate. The findings of the paper show that, aggregately, there is lack of policy to address the “triple bottom lines” of sustainability. There is also an absence of sustainable procurement in state purchasing decisions and a dearth of sustainability skills across the sector. The paper recommends that the government implements a state wide strategy that will evoke a paradigm shift to greater sustainability awareness within the public sector. The government should also institute a comprehensive skills development programme while category teams could be created to focus on key sustainability areas and align them with public procurement.

Keywords: Sustainable procurement, Sustainability, Developing countries, Public sector, Lagos, Nigeria