Why Collaborate on Local Government Procurement? The Experience of UK Councils

J. Gordon Murray, Peter G. Rentell, Tina Holland, Steven Locker

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DOI: 10.4236/jssm.2011.43038                

Abstract

Within the UK public sector considerable encouragement has been given to working collaboratively on procurement. Although purchasing consortia have been a feature of the UK local government landscape and a shared services model has begun to emerge, little empirical research has been reported on whether other procurement collaborations take place, why organisations collaborate on procurement projects, what are the perceived risks and what type of procurement projects are considered suitable for collaboration. This paper reports on explorative research, to establish the answer to those questions. Suggestions are made for those considering procurement collaborative projects and further research.

Keywords

Collaboration, Public Procurement, Procurement Strategy, Procurement Organisation and Structure

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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