Plantinga, H; Voordijk, H and Doree, A (2019) The reasoning behind infrastructure manager's choice of procurement instruments. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 26(2), pp. 303-320. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to show that for frequently procuring public clients: the reasoning behind the use of procurement instruments is a process in its own right that requires managerial and scientific attention; modeling this process contributes to making sensible procurement choices; and managing this process is a relevant factor in the client’s development toward strategic procurement. Design/methodology/approach: A model is developed to conceptualize the reasoning behind procurement instruments. Using this model in a case study, the reasoning behind the evolution of a particular procurement instrument as applied by a public infrastructure management organization is reconstructed. Findings: The case study results show that an initially explicitly formulated set of main reasons for operating a qualification system can implicitly evolve over time into a different set of reasons. From a managerial point of view, explication of implicit reasons is important to both avoid the risk that the real value of the procurement instrument remains undetected as well as properly assess its strategic alignment with higher level strategies. The conceptual model proves to be a useful tool to support that. Originality/value: Bringing the reasoning behind the use of procurement instruments to the fore, this study explores an area of construction procurement research that is positioned between the disciplines of purchasing and supply management, knowledge management and strategic management.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | case study; knowledge management; strategic management |
| Index terms: | purchasing, public infrastructure, case study, qualification, procurement choice, modelling, public client, construction procurement, strategic procurement, strategy, reasoning, manager, knowledge management, evolution, methodology, strategic management |
| Subjects: | contractual arrangements, environmental science, analytical methods, strategic project management, data collection methods, practitioner, cognitive psychology, sociology, infrastructure and transport systems, procurement strategy, management, research methods, educational resources, professional development |
| Topics: | Stakeholder Management, Roles and Professions, Procurement, Sustainability, Business Strategy, Project Management, Research Practice, Engineering Principles, Information Management, Education |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here