Current Research in Public Procurement: A Global Perspective Khi V. Thai, Ph.D., Professor School of Public Administration Florida Atlantic University

Trends in Public Procurement Research This is a challenging issue: – It is very difficult to trace scientifically this trend, globally – But a clear trend we have seen since the late 1990s: An increasing research interest in the world

Toward a Framework for Public Procurement Research Four Pillars (OECD, Methodology for Assessment of National Procurement Systems, 17/7/2006) Four Cornerstones (US GAO, Framework for Assessing the Acquisition Function of Federal Agencies, Sept., 2005) Legislative and Regulatory FrameworkPolicies and Processes Institutional & Management CapacityOrganizational Alignment and Leadership Procurement Operations and MarketsHuman Capital Integrity and TransparencyKnowledge and Information Management Proposed Framework: A Combination of the above Frameworks Legislative Framework and Policies Procurement Operations: Institutional Capacity, Processes & Methods Management Capacity/Human Capacity/Knowledge Information/Integrity/Transparency Political and Cultural Environment and Markets (Thai, “Public Procurement Re-exaamined,” Journal of Public Procurement, 2001).

Legislative and Regulatory Framework, and Policies Research Issues: -Procurement laws and regulations, reforms or revisions to reflect the changing environment -Public procurement as a policy tools: SMEs, environmental sustainability, procurement of innovation (R&D)

Procurement Operations: Institutional Capacity, Processes and Methods Research Issues: Current problems – Insufficient attention given to needs assessments and budget decision or the missing links in the procurement process – Incomplete process: assets management and disposals – Institutional arrangement in public procurement: centralization vs. decentralization, procurement structure, national and local arrangement Contract Implementation Contract Formulation Contract Closeout Feedback

Management Capacity, Human Capacity, and Knowledge Research Issues: – Efficiency in procurement operations and practices – Existence of contract administration and dispute resolution provisions – Body of procurement knowledge – Level of procurement competence among government officials within the entity, or public procurement professionalization

Issue of Professionalism “My colleague in MOF asked for information on comparative experience of professional qualification requirements for public procurement officers. I wonder whether you could provide some information on this or any links for further exploration” (Prof. Fuguo Cao, China, 02 Sept ).

Information, Integrity, and Transparency Research Issues: – Effective control and audit systems – Enforcement and follow-up on findings and recommendations of the control framework – timely information on compliance to enable management action – How to prevent or reduce corruption

Political, Market and Cultural Environment Research Issues: – Political system may have positive or negative impacts on public procurement practices – Different cultures have different levels of procurement integrity – Market: There are possible major systemic constraints (e.g. inadequate access to credit, contracting practices, etc.) inhibiting the private sector’s capacity to access the procurement market.

Implication of the question: Professionalizing public procurement Recent research efforts: -Developing a common body of procurement knowledge -Developing basic procurement principles -Developing a code of ethics -Certification program for professional qualification requirements

Gracias! Thank you! Khi V. Thai Florida Atlantic University 777 Glades Road Boca Raton, Florida