In this essay a quantitative empirical study with additional qualitative studies are performed. The purpose of this essay is to study how public procurement is used as a political instrument through the national procurement strategy. Swedish procurement legislation is based on EU directives since January 1, 1994 when the 1992 Act: 1,528 entered into force. The purpose of the provisions was to ensure legal certainty in the purchasing and commercial practices of public authorities. Public authorities spend about 17% of EU gross domestic product on public procurement. The value of purchases covered by procurement laws is estimated at approximately SEK 625 billion, which corresponds to 25% of GDP excluding VAT. This represents just over one-sixth of gross domestic product. Swedish procurement law is based on EU law and lies between administrative and civil law and is often described as commercial administrative law, as public procurement concerns how the public sector will act in commercial transactions. Public procurement has in recent years been the subject of political focus and a way to achieve political goals. The conclusions of this essay are that it is mainly time and human resources that causes a deficient implementation of the national procurement strategy. According to the top-down perspective, there are a number of possible obstacles to the implementation of a policy, lack of time and resources in the state authorities may have contributed to the national procurement strategy not being implemented to the extent that the government probably hoped. The national procurement strategy has had a direct effect on 5 authorities regarding social sustainability. The authorities that have given social sustainability their own heading in the governing documents can, from the top-down perspective, be considered to have had sufficient time to implement the concepts.

The construction industry is a complex sector that places high demands on project management, planning, and implementation. Significant progress has been made in recent decades regarding the delivery of extensive construction projects, including the adoption of new building techniques, improved risk management systems, and enhanced safety measures. However, a lack of efficiency persists in the construction industry in many countries. This is due to issues within projects, such as time and cost overruns, conflicts among stakeholders, limitations in productivity improvement, quality development, and inadequate customer satisfaction. Following this, many researchers and society at large have called for a change in attitudes, behavior, and practices to increase the chances of successful construction projects to improve the result of the final products. With increased complexity, uncertainty, and time constraints in construction projects, there has been a growing need for collaboration among various project stakeholders. The purpose of this study is to describe and explain the choices made by clients in the procurement process and what contractors prefer. Based on other studies finding that collaborative procurement procedures enhance project performance, this thesis wants to analyze clients’ and contractors’ views regarding collaborative procurement procedures. Additionally, moral-hazard is a component of procurement strategies and contracts, particularly in more complex transactions that involve interaction, which significantly affects the construction industry. Therefore, it is an important aspect to look at how the construction industry works to prevent the emergence of moral-hazard. Based on semi-structured interviews conducted with nine respondents, comprising of five respondents from the contractor side, three from the client side, and one consultant. It has provided insight into how collaboration and moral hazard are perceived. We can conclude that the client's choice of procedure in the procurement process is often closely linked to the selected form of contract. When clients select a form of contract or when contractors submit bids, it appears to be based on the company's expertise, tradition, or what best suits the project. Those who feel skilled or comfortable with partnering tend to choose partnering more frequently. The strategic choices are also shaped by a systematic and thoughtful decision-making process, consciously or unconsciously, to reduce the risk of opportunistic behavior that may occur.

Byggindustrin har en betydande del i ett lands ekonomiska utveckling. Underentreprenörer bidrar med upp till 90 % av ett projekts totala värde, vilket lägger stor vikt vid upphandlingen av underentreprenörer. I denna studie undersöks det hur entreprenörer på den privata marknaden uppfattar upphandlingen av underentreprenörer, vilka problem och möjligheter som kan kopplas till denna process samt hur rätt val av upphandlingsstrategier kan bidra till effektivare processer.  För att besvara syfte och frågeställningar har tio stycken intervjuer genomförts. Intervjupersonerna var inköpare, produktionsledare samt representanter från underentreprenörerna. Intervjupersonernas tankar och idéer jämfördes med den information författarna erhållit från studier av artiklar, rapporter och andra texter. Resultatet påvisar att aktörerna uppfattar att upphandlingsarbetet i dagsläget överlag fungerar bra, det finns dock utrymme för förbättringar. Tidsbrist, otydlighet samt dåliga handlingar är faktorer som ständigt tas upp som problem i arbetet.  Entreprenören bör fokusera på vad som är av vikt vid den specifika entreprenaden, samt hålla anbudsförfrågan kort, koncis och projektanpassad. Att i större utsträckning jobba med samma underentreprenörer kan bidra till förbättringar gällande tid och tydlighet, i vissa fall kan det också vara aktuellt att skriva in specifik organisation i kontrakt. Att blanda ersättningsformer kan bidra till flexiblare processer. Hur omfattande detaljnivån i handlingar ska vara är av vikt vid val av entreprenadform. Tradition, vad entreprenör och underentreprenör vanligen jobbar med, påverkar val av upphandlingsstrategi. Detta kan hämma utvecklingen och testandet av nya tekniker och idéer. / The construction industry constitutes a significant part of a country's economic development. Subcontractors contribute up to 90% of a projects total production value, which make the procurement of subcontractors vital. This study examines how private market actors perceive the procurement of subcontractors, which problems and opportunities can be linked to this process and how the right choice of procurement strategies can contribute to more efficient processes.  In order to answer the purpose and the research questions, nine interviews were conducted. The interviewees were buyers, production managers and representatives from subcontractors. The thoughts and ideas from the interviews were compared with scientific articles, reports and other texts. The result indicates that there is room for improvements in the procurement work but in overall it works well, according to the involved actors. Insufficient amount of time, ambiguity and poor documents are constantly mentioned as problems in the procurement process. The client should specify important things for the specific contract as well as keeping the bid request short, concisely and adapted to the project. Working with the sub-contractor to a greater extent could possibly contribute to improvements regarding time and clarity. In some cases it could also be appropriate to include a specific organization in the contract. By mixing different ways of how to pay for contracts the process might get more flexible. The extent of detail in the documents should affect how the contact is designed. Tradition, how the client and sub-contractor usually design their contracts, affects their future strategies of procurement. This might inhibit the use and development of new techniques and ideas.

The current focus on sustainability entails an extension of companies focus beyond economicobjectives to an approach that also take into account economic, ecological as well as societal performance (Hollos, Blome and Foerstl, 2012). In this context, purchasing and supply has been transformed to have a strategic role in sustainability (Meehan and Bryde, 2011). The European Union point to a rising interest for policies that aim at a reorientation of public procurement to achieve solutions that promotes consideration of social policies and that supports sustainable innovation (European Commission, 2016).Public procurement processes have according to Oruezabala and Rico (2012) only been studied in a few empirical studies. Furthermore, Rolfstam et al. (2011) emphasizes that diffusion is an area that have been neglected in the public procurement of innovation. The need for sustainable innovations makes it relevant to address a gap in the literature, which beyond exposing hinders for sustainable public procurement accounts for their effect on the diffusion of sustainable innovations. Wastewater treatment is important for public procurement due to its significant environmental impact and therefore the wastewater treatment industry is the focus of this thesis. The importance of the study is supported by actors such as AxFlow that supplies the wastewater treatment industry with technical solutions. This company experiences that hinders in public procurement prevents diffusion of sustainable innovations.The purpose with this research is to investigate what barriers for sustainable procurement that prevents the diffusion of sustainable innovations. To fulfill this purpose a case study was conducted where data was collected through interviews with individuals with varying roles and experiences within public procurement to waste water treatment plants. In order to achieve the purpose it was necessary to determine that public procurement play a role in achieving a sustainable development. It was also crucial to find evidence on the existence of barriers for sustainable procurement and what these are. The results indicate that public procurement could play a significant role in promoting sustainable development. However, it is possible to conclude that the actual contribution is significantly small or nonexistent due to the fact that there are several barriers in place that prevents public procurement from having a significant impact. Findings suggests that barriers to sustainable procurement exists and that these relate to all three pillars of sustainable development, which are the economic, social and environmental pillar. By analyzing barriers to sustainable procurement found in the empirical study it was possible to identify which specific barriers that prevents the diffusion of sustainable innovations. It is concluded that the diffusion of sustainable innovations is prevented by the following barriers: 1. Public procurement failing to create economic incentives for sustainable product development. 2. An insufficient base of stake holders involved in the policy formulation process. 3. Policies not being formed on consensus and dialogue. 4. A lack of policy integration over different environmental media. 5. A lack of a strategic plan in public procurement. 6. Procurers given insufficient support and mutual measures necessary for evaluation.

Sustainable procurement is satisfying an organization's demands at the best possible financial value while minimizing the negative impact on humans and the atmosphere. There are studies where environmental factors are included as a KPI in buying elements, but it’s tough to integrate the three essential pillars Social, Economic, and Ecological Pillar. In the context of this research, SP is an ethical and eco-friendly technique for meeting the demand and desire for articles, amenities, and utilities in a way of establishing significant gains not only for the company but also for individuals and the monetary aspects by generating the lowest amount of threat to the nature. More healthy consumption and manufacturing will enable nations to advance along a sustainability roadmap by sticking to the worldwide mission of an Eco-friendly globe. This paper focuses on the implementation of SP and identifies a list of SP (Sustainable Procurement) drivers, barriers, and practices required for organizational changes that must be made by an organization when transforming a traditional procurement process into a sustainability-oriented procurement process, to contribute to the global and national agenda of addressing the concept of sustainability. Using empirical data, this paper offers recommendations for professionals and organizations planning to undertake Sustainable Procurement practices.

Purpose - Procurement is an integrated part of the supply chain and crucial for the success of manufacturing. Many organisations have already started the digitalisation of their manufacturing processes using Industry 4.0 technologies and consequently trying to understand how this would impact the procurement function. The research purpose is to conceptualize a procurement of 4.0 model for a truly data driven procurement. Two research questions were proposed to address the model from digital capabilities and sustainability preceptive. Design/Methodology/approach - This study is based on a systematic literature review. A method of reviewing the literature and the current research for the propose of conceptualizing a procurement 4.0 model. Findings - The findings from the literature review contributed to the development of a proposed procurement 4.0 model based on Industry 4.0 technologies, applications, mathematical algorithms and procurement processes automation. The model contributes to the research field by addressing the gap in the literature about the lack of visualization and conceptualization of procurement 4.0. Originality/Value - The current literature discusses the advantages, implementation and impact of individual or a group of industry 4.0 technologies and applications on procurement but lacks visualization of the transformation process of combining the technologies to enable a truly data driven procurement. This research supports the creation of knowledge in this area. Practical Implementation /Managerial Implications - The proposed model can support managers and digital consultants to have practical knowledge from an academic perspective in the area of procurement 4.0. The knowledge from the literature and the systematic literature review is used to create knowledge on procurement 4.0 applications and analytics taking in to consideration the importance of visibility, transparency, optimization and the automation of the procurement function and its sustainability. / Syfte - Upphandling är en integrerad del av supply chain och avgörande för tillverkningens framgång. Många organisationer har redan börjat digitalisera sina tillverkningsprocesser med hjälp av Industry 4.0-teknologier och försöker därför förstå hur detta skulle påverka upphandlingsfunktionen. Målet med studien är att konceptualisera en upphandling av 4.0-modellen för en verkligt datadriven upphandling. Två forskningsfrågor föreslogs för att ta itu med modellen från digital kapacitet och hållbarhet. Design / metod / tillvägagångssätt - Denna studie baseras på en systematisk litteraturstudie. En metod för att granska litteraturen och den aktuella forskningen för att föreslå konceptualisering av en upphandlings 4.0-modell. Resultat - Resultaten från litteraturstudien bidrog till utvecklingen av en föreslagen upphandlings 4.0-modell baserad på Industry 4.0-teknologier, applikationer, matematiska algoritmer och automatisering av upphandlingsprocesser. Modellen bidrar till forskningsområdet genom att ta itu med klyftan i litteraturen om bristen på visualisering och konceptualisering av upphandling 4.0. Originalitet / värde - Den nuvarande litteraturen diskuterar fördelarna, implementeringen och effekten av individer eller en grupp av industri 4.0-teknologier och applikationer på upphandling men saknar visualisering av transformationsprocessen för att kombinera teknologierna för att skapa en verklig datadriven upphandling. Denna forskning stöder skapandet av kunskap inom detta område. Praktisk implementering / chefsimplikationer - Den föreslagna modellen kan stödja chefer och digitala konsulter att ha praktisk kunskap ur ett akademiskt perspektiv inom området upphandling 4.0. Kunskapen från litteraturen och den systematiska litteraturstudien används för att skapa kunskap om inköp 4.0 applikationer och analyser med beaktande av vikten av synlighet, transparens, optimering och automatisering av upphandlingsfunktionen och dess hållbarhet.

Yes / The case study presented in this paper is a demonstration of the success of a green public procurement (GPP) model that allows to build buildings in accordance with the principles of the circularity by ensuring sustainable consumption and production. The relevance of green procurement has lately become a focus of research because of public institutions' growing interest in circularity for built environment investment. The case study of a school gym presented in this paper is emphasising the role the public authorities are playing in promoting the transition to the circularity of the built environment through sustainable procurement. Despite being a voluntary instrument, GPP also plays a significant part in the global efforts to develop a more resource-efficient economy. It can help to develop a critical mass of demand for more sustainable buildings that would be difficult to bring to the market otherwise. The challenge of convincing public-sector institutions to use GPP across nations, to become 'normal practice' continues and will drive the market for environmentally friendly buildings. The case study presented demonstrate that the GPP model is widely replicable and leads to positive outcomes. It has already been applied for the Brancati secondary and high school project built in Pesaro, Italy, that has been awarded by the International Jury of the Green Solutions Awards 2020-21, Construction 21, the Prize for the Energy for the Temperate Climate International Platform category.

Bakgrund och problemdiskussion: Den offentliga upphandlingen kan med väl genomtänkta krav på varor och tjänster bli en stark drivkraft och en föregångare för hållbar utveckling. Trots en svag och oklar lagstiftning inom området finns det idag stora möjligheter att ställa krav både på socialt ansvarstagande och miljöhänsyn i samband med offentliga upphandlingar. Syfte: Syftet är att undersöka hur Värnamo kommun gör för att inkludera hållbarhet med inriktning på miljö i sina avtal med utvalda livsmedelsleverantörer. Vidare undersöks hur Värnamo kommun säkerställer att upphandlade varor och tjänster lever upp till avtalad kvalitet samt hur det faktiska tillvägagångssättet stämmer överens med den teori som finns. Metod: Uppsatsen är av kvalitativ art och har utförts genom en fallstudie. Utgångspunkten är ett positivistiskt synsätt och uppsatsen använder sig av ett deduktivt angreppssätt. Slutsats: I Värnamo kommun finns det en tillsatt kompetensgrupp som arbetar enbart med upphandling av livsmedel, denna grupp har kunskap och kännedom om hur marknaden och upphandlingsprocessen ser ut. Vid upphandling läggs i princip allt fokus kring avtalet, både när det gäller vilka krav som ställs och vad som ska följas upp. Trots att det inte är enkelt för offentliga verksamheter att göra inköp och kvalitetssäkringar enligt teorin finns det delar av teorin som redan idag uppfylls och det finns också en bas för vidare utveckling. Kvalitetssäkring sker i störst utsträckning innan avtalet signeras, vilket ur en tidsaspekt är en liten del av processen. Enligt teorin skall kvalitetssäkring ske kontinuerligt flera gånger per år. Det blir tydligt att teorin lämpar sig bättre för privat sektor eftersom det inom den offentliga sektorn finns mindre incitament för att hjälpas åt att utvecklas då nästa upphandling kan innebära att samarbetet ha nått vägs ände. / Background: Public procurement can with well thought through demands on goods and services become a strong driving force for sustainable development. Even with a weak and uncertain legislation within the field there are grand opportunities to demand both social responsibility and environmental accountability in public procurement. Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine how Värnamo municipality do to include sustainability with focus on the environment in their agreements with chosen grocery suppliers. Further it is investigated how Värnamo municipality make sure their procured goods and services are to terms with agreed standard, and if the actual approach is in line with theory on the subject. Method: The essay is of qualitative nature and has been performed in the way of a case study. The standpoint of the essay is a positivistic point of view and is performed with a deductive approach. Conclusion: In Värnamo municipality there is an appointed group with special competence that is working solely with the procurement of groceries, this group have knowledge about how the market and the procurement process works. In the time of procurement nearly all the focus is in the documented agreements, both regarding demands put and what is to be followed up. Even though it is not simple for a government controlled business to make procurements and quality assurances according to theory there are parts of theory that today are fulfilled and there is a foundation for further development. Quality assurance is by the most part done before the agreement is signed, which compared to the entire process is a small portion. According to theory quality assurance should happen multiple times yearly. It is apparent that theory is better suited for the private sector since in the public sector there are fewer incentives to help the other party improve where the next procurement can mean the cooperation has come to an end.

The author analyses the existing legislation regarding crime related to public procurement, focusing on those that directly relate to public procurement. The primary objective of this thesis is a thorough analysis of sections 248 paragraph 2 alinea 2, section 256 and section 257 of the Czech criminal code. Following a brief historical introduction this thesis describes some of the important legal instruments present in the new law regulating public procurement, emphasising the new ones that may have a strong impact on criminal liability. The main part of the thesis then analyses the three aforementioned crimes, putting emphasis on the recent decisions of the Czech courts in this matter. The author also provides practical examples of criminal conduct related to public procurement. The author also focuses on some other crimes that may not be directly related to public procurement, but are in practice more or less often committed in relation to public procurement or together with the three aforementioned crimes. The author has also carried out a detailed analysis of the available case-law related to the crimes described in sections 248 paragraph 2 alinea 2 and 257 of the Czech criminal code in a time period between its entry into force up to the date of submitting this thesis. The reason for this...

The focus of this research is to examine the efficiency and effectiveness of recent procurement reform done by the Government of the Philippines, particularly the centralized procurement system for common-use supplies, materials, and equipment. The centralized procurement system is adopted with the intent of taking advantage of the savings inherent to bulk purchasing, streamlining procurement procedures, and reducing opportunities for corruption in the procurement of the abovementioned items. By legislative authority under Republic Act No. 9184, the centralized procurement system was made mandatory among all government agencies, government owned and controlled corporations and local government units in the purchase of their supplies, materials and equipment requirements. With the introduction of tighter budget and the stronger pressure for good governance, the contributions of procurement policy and institutions of procurements to the achievement of good governance and potential relation to development has been gaining global recognition. Given the association of procurement to the way public money is spent, the issue on corruption is also central to this research. There has been a growing recognition of the relationship between corruption and development – the more corrupt a country is, the more underdeveloped it becomes. With the daunting task of battling against corruption, the country’s strategy is to direct its efforts in combating corruption in specific areas, like public procurement. This thesis demonstrates that the centralized procurement system offers a significant reduction in processing times in the conduct of procurement. Additionally, it offers opportunities for savings generation with the cheaper prices of goods and the reduction of administrative cost associated with procurement. More over, it provides a procurement framework where opportunities for administrative corruption are reduced. This leads to the conclusion that the centralized procurement system is efficient in that it reduces administrative processing time and concomitant costs. This, in the long run, will benefit the procuring entities and ultimately the tax payers. However, the emphasis placed on achieving administrative savings is at the expense of other measures of effectiveness such as quality of goods being supplied and the quality of services being extended to client agencies. Moreover, the lack of effective inventory and control system may pave the way to greater waste. Without an effective inventory and control system as well as an improved quality control system, the centralized procurement system that works faster and cheaper may not be better after all.