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E-procurement in the United Nations: influences, issues and impact

Walker, Helen Lisbeth ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0892-9231 and Harland, Christine 2008. E-procurement in the United Nations: influences, issues and impact. International Journal of Operations & Production Management 28 (9) , pp. 831-857. 10.1108/01443570810895276

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Abstract

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the factors influencing e-procurement adoption in the United Nations (UN) system of organizations are examined. Design/methodology/approach – This paper reports on an extended multi-method case study of e-procurement in the UN. A three stage methodology is adopted – a questionnaire survey of UN organizations, case studies of e-procurement issues in three UN organizations, and an interactive workshop with the heads of purchasing of UN organizations. Findings – The paper finds that e-procurement is being used in the UN for transactions of routine, non-strategic purchases. UN development agencies are more likely to adopt e-procurement than humanitarian aid agencies as their operations are more predictable. The intention of the majority of UN organizations to adopt e-procurement within three years has been reversed following the workshop, which revealed that adoption of e-procurement would run counter to UN policies of supporting less developed nations, regions and organizations. A more cautious, “wait and see” approach has been taken rather than to unilaterally promote e-procurement across the UN system. Research limitations/implications – This research focuses on the UN, yet could have implications for other complex systems of organizations such as the public sector, or multinational companies considering implementing e-procurement with suppliers in developing countries. Practical implications – E-procurement needs to be considered in the context of other procurement policy objectives. What may be good e-procurement practice in a profit-making firm may be viewed as competing with broader policy objectives of not-for-profit organizations. The digital divide is a salient contextual factor for the UN, and brings about unforeseen issues regarding e-procurement adoption which may have resonance for other organisations. Originality/value – Much research on e-procurement has been conducted in the private sector and this paper contributes to the small but growing number of studies of e-procurement in the context of the public and not-for-profit sectors by studying e-procurement in the UN.

Item Type: Article
Date Type: Publication
Status: Published
Schools: Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems At Cardiff (CAMSAC)
Business (Including Economics)
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management
H Social Sciences > HF Commerce
J Political Science > JF Political institutions (General)
J Political Science > JZ International relations
Uncontrolled Keywords: Electronic commerce; International organizations; Procurement
Publisher: Emerald
ISSN: 0144-3577
Last Modified: 19 Oct 2022 08:33
URI: https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/18190

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