Implementing sustainable procurement in the United Arab Emirates public sector

Abstract

Purpose Despite making significant strides in transforming its environmental outlook over the past few years and promoting sustainable procurement (SP) in the public sector, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is still facing serious challenges in moving up the global sustainability ranks. Thus, this study aims to assess and prioritize critical factors, including cost, organization, innovation capability, stakeholder, culture and market-related factors, and their respective sub-factors for the implementation of SP, and come up with recommendations. Design/methodology/approach This study uses the analytical hierarchy process model to prioritize the main factors and sub-factors that can critically affect the implementation of SP in the UAE public sector. Data were collected through a survey of 17 procurement experts working in procurement departments in public organizations in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Findings The results reveal that cost is the highest ranked critical factor, followed by an organization, whereas innovation capability is the lowest ranked of the main factors. The initial cost of green products and their life-cycle cost are the most prioritized of cost factors. An individual’s commitment to change, top management support and organizational commitment are the highest-ranked sub-factors. Social awareness is the most important sub-factor among culture, and the supplier’s capability is the highest ranked sub-factor in the market. Social implications The government should issue a standard practices handbook for SP to be used by public organizations to provide public procurers a clear method for conducting a proper cost–benefit analysis to evaluate and decide on sustainable purchases that fit the economy and society and meet the national sustainability agenda. Furthermore, additional attention needs to be paid to cultural factors such as social and environmental awareness by policymakers to succeed in achieving SP. Finally, top management and government officials must reevaluate their own personal values and commitment to sustainability issues as they participate in forming policies, rules, regulations and training programs designed for procurement managers within government organizations. Originality/value Although considerable research has been conducted on this topic, this study is unique in its presentation of a critical understanding of which factors and sub-factors are likely to significantly affect SP implementation in the UAE, which shall provide the relevant researchers and practitioners with the necessary knowledge to be ready for the changes that may lie ahead.

Stakeholders’ categorization of the sustainable public procurement system: the case of Brazil

“…However, negative emphasis for suppliers, predominantly considered little salient. Nevertheless, the importance of the suppliers is highlighted in the work of Brammer and Walker (2011), Meehan and Bryde (2011), Witjes and Lozano (2016), Guarnieri and Gomes (2019) and Al Nuaimi et al (2020). Experts have not ignored the importance of suppliers.…”

“…Concerning the suppliers, they were considered to be low salient. This could be an indicator of the supplier market's incapacity (even though temporary) to meet new demands for sustainable products and services, which, in turn, could be because of the absence of a broader and more inclusive structuring policy, one that could allow the government to urge suppliers to participate collaboratively (Meehan and Bryde, 2011;Witjes and Lozano, 2016;Guarnieri and Gomes, 2019;Al Nuaimi et al, 2020) in the development of policies and to properly inform them about the new preferences of a market with great purchasing power and ample prospects for growth.…”

“…The support of managers, legal bodies, internal audit or the sectors responsible for the financial control of purchases as a result of technical knowledge on the subject, is essential for the success of the activities. In addition, adequate training of actors who deal with the procurement processes (stakeholders, buyers and others managers) is an aspect that must be developed intensively (Testa et al, 2016;Calvacanti et al, 2017;Al Nuaimi, Khan and Ajmal, 2020).…”

“…Although this process is more time consuming, relations between suppliers and public buyers become closer, making it stronger and more lasting. This cooperation will reduce the use of raw materials and waste, while promoting the development of more sustainable business (Meehan and Bryde, 2011;Alem et al, 2015;Witjes and Lozano, 2016;Guarnieri and Gomes, 2019;Al Nuaimi et al, 2020). However, the insufficient number of providers prepared to meet the new requirements of sustainability in public procurement is still an obstacle to be overcome by several countries (Calvacanti et al, 2017).…”

Investigating Libyan Consumers’ Acceptance Towards Green Purchasing Concept

“…In United Arabs of Emirates (UAE) a study declared the influence of green products prices, and it was revealed by the authors that the prices of pro-environmental products ranked as the highest critical factor impacting the proenvironmental behaviors, and available green products at high prices force consumers' behaviors renitent to green procurements regardless how beneficial they were (Al Nuaimi et al [11]).…”