Procurement leadership: from means to ends

Abstract

Procurement is often perceived as a tactical rather than a strategic function. Such perceptions result from the way procurement is usually defined as beginning after a need has been identified. Procurement thus focuses on tactical decisions involving means rather than on strategic decisions involving ends.For procurement to become strategic, procurement professionals must be recognized as having legitimate leadership roles in determining organizational ends. The paper presents two conceptual frameworks to move procurement in this direction. The firstpragmatism-resolves the dichotomy between ends and means. The second-a conservator model of agency leadership-highlights the importance of promoting and maintaining public procurement's institutional integrity. Together, these may equip procurement professionals to adopt leadership roles in strategic organizational decision making.

Municipal demand-side policy tools and the strategic management of technology life cycles

“…There is a growing movement in the procurement literature, and in practice, to begin expanding the role and influence of the procurement function (Snider, 2006). Edler and Georghiou (2007) suggest that "public demand, when oriented towards innovative solutions and products, has the potential to improve delivery of public policy and services, often generating improved innovative dynamics and benefits from the associated spillovers" (p. 949).…”

“…In recent years, researchers have explored more innovative forms of procurement including strategic procurement (Snider, 2006) and procurement for innovation (Lember et al, 2011). That is, procurement for products and services that require some form of customization (Lember et al, 2011).…”

“…The procurement function in municipalities has historically been associated with tactical, means-based approaches to acquiring products and services (Snider, 2006). The role of the procurement function in this context is to predetermine requirements for vendors to meet.…”

Public procurement policy: implications for theory and practice

“…Others argue that, under contemporary circumstances, public procurement is taking on more of a strategic nature (Leenders & Fearon, 1997;McCue & Gianakis, 2001;Hinson & McCue, 2004;Matthews, 2005). This paper proceeds along lines of inquiry suggested by Snider (2006;2008) linking the strategic nature of public procurement to its focus on and concerns with public policy. The paper begins by reviewing high points from the classic literature of the policy sciences, much of which was produced in the middle to late 1900s.…”

Theory in public procurement research

“…In their discussion of public procurement policy Snider & Rendon (2008, p. 311) were minded to say that "….scholars have yet to give sufficient efforts to the sort of conceptual theorising about policy that will lead to ordering devices and approaches that can help researchers and students make sense of its complexity, uses and limitations." Previous to this, Snider (2006) hinted at a tendency towards introspection in contemporary public procurement research and a failure to relate it to more overarching theoretical perspectives. Other contributors have also averred to the desirability of using theoretical lenses, as when McCue & Prier (2008, p. 2) called for more theory if "one wants to explain, predict, and understand behavior concerning the intent, purpose, and actual use of cooperatives in procurement."…”