Author:  Conghu Wang, Yuhua Qiao, Xiaoming Li

Abstract: 

Purpose

This paper aims to identify important factors in green public procurement (GPP) implementation and then to clarify how these factors affect GPP implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors applied the Delphi method first and then conducted a focused and constrained multiple case study at 18 government procurement centers across China.

Findings

The authors identified four clusters of factors for successful GPP implementation: more clear, consistent and operational policy goals; a nation-wide green procurement campaign to enhance social capital and cultural resources; promoting staff’s ethics, professionalism, capacity and knowledge; and establishing checks and balances among organizations involved in the whole purchasing process.

Social implications

GPP can significantly improve environmental protection and sustainable development.

Originality/value

Based on key insights from systems theory and agency theory, the authors emphasize that GPP implementation must take down its own functional silos and adopt a process approach across organizational tiers to synchronize human resource based and inter-organizational capabilities into a unified whole through information sharing, communications and collaboration.

Link: https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JOPP-03-2019-0017/full/html