Professional service acquisition in public sector procurement: A conceptual model of meaningful involvement

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to use a case‐based approach to develop an improved understanding of the conditions under which municipal purchasing departments can be meaningfully involved in acquisition processes for consulting services.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected at five Canadian municipalities and involved a detailed examination of ten cases where the supply function demonstrated meaningful involvement in the acquisition process.

Findings

Findings, along with organizational behavior literature on trust, were used to develop a conceptual model and tentative measurement scales that may be used to test the validity of the theory developed.

Originality/value

This work addresses the problem of low public sector purchasing department involvement in these important purchase decisions and some significant gaps in the public procurement literature.

Citation

Schiele, J.J. and McCue, C.P. (2006), "Professional service acquisition in public sector procurement: A conceptual model of meaningful involvement", International Journal of Operations & Production Management, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 300-325. https://doi.org/10.1108/01443570610646210