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Sustainable procurement: Emerging issues

Walker, Helen; Phillips, Wendy

Authors

Helen Walker



Abstract

Sustainable procurement is the pursuit of sustainable development objectives (WCED, 1987) through the purchasing and supply process, and involves balancing environmental, social and economic objectives. It is rising on the policy agenda for many countries, but knowledge remains limited. This study explores emerging issues through focus groups at a sustainable procurement workshop. The 44 participants included senior policy-makers, academics and practitioners from the public and private sectors and professional bodies. Focus group discussion data were taped and analysed. Four sustainable procurement themes were explored: (1) moving from an environmental focus to social and economic dimensions; (2) sustainability and innovation; (3) ethical supply and (4) measurement issues. The findings seek to inform the academic and practitioner debate on sustainable procurement. © 2012 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd.

Citation

Walker, H., & Phillips, W. (2009). Sustainable procurement: Emerging issues. International Journal of Procurement Management, 2(1), 41-61. https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPM.2009.021729

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Dec 1, 2009
Journal International Journal of Procurement Management
Print ISSN 1753-8432
Electronic ISSN 1753-8440
Publisher Inderscience
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 2
Issue 1
Pages 41-61
DOI https://doi.org/10.1504/IJPM.2009.021729
Keywords sustainable procurement, environment, public, private, ethical, innovation, measurement
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/1006899
Publisher URL http://dx.doi.org/http://www.inderscience.com
Related Public URLs http://www.inderscience.com