Improving the validity of public procurement research

摘要

Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to argue that the fundamental difference between private and public procurement, that of politicians, has been largely overlooked in public procurement strategy rnand management research. It then aims to argue that existing public procurement research could be rnimproved if greater attention were given to in research design to validity and the interface with rnpoliticians. rnDesign/methodology/approach - The research is based on a critical literature review of public rnprocurement strategy and management literature, examining the methodologies used and roles of rnpoliticians. rnFindings - The findings suggest there is an in-built bias through over reliance on procurement rnmanagers as the key respondents, tendency to focus on private sector procurement research attributes rnand questions, and a tendency to focus on operational as opposed to strategic public procurement rndecision making.rnResearch limitations/implications - The research suggests a need for greater understanding of rnpoliticians' engagement in public procurement strategy and management and the need for greater rntriangulation in public procurement research. rnOriginality/value The paper highlights how public procurement strategy and management rnresearch can be improved to increase its validity. It explores the neglected area of the role of politicians rnin public procurement.