The relationship between sustainable procurement and e-procurement in the public sector

This study examines the relationship between sustainable procurement and e‐procurement, two recent initiatives in public procurement in many countries. A survey of sustainable procurement and e‐procurement adoption was conducted with a sample of over 280 public procurement practitioners from 20 countries and with collective responsibility for expenditure totalling $45 BN. Using multiple regression, we develop a model to show that e‐procurement and communication with suppliers supports some types of sustainable procurement, and hinders others. E‐procurement and communication with suppliers may help environmental, labour, health and safety aspects of sustainable procurement. Conversely, e‐procurement may hinder buying from small local firms that are not e‐enabled.