Ethical conduct as the cornerstone of public sector procurement

Abstract

The procurement of public goods and services is the link between public requirements and private sector providers. The public sector provides goods and services to satisfy the complex variety of needs of a country’s citizens. The procurement of goods and service by the public sector is unlike procurement in the private sector: it is a process within the political system. This implies that it involves issues such as integrity, accountability, the national interest, effectiveness and efficiency. This article describes the responsibilities of the public sector in the delivery of services, and provides an understanding of the functioning of the Supply Chain Management system and the role of public sector managers in this process. Since ethical conduct plays a critical role in the procurement of goods and services in this domain, the article also focuses on the challenges of ethical considerations in public sector procurement.