Short answer

Incorporate sustainability metrics and requirements into public tender documents and evaluation processes to steer market innovation towards environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.

Field
Innovation & Markets
Source
BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University) (2014)
Method
Literature Review and Case Study Analysis
Evidence
Strong effect

Strategic integration of sustainability criteria into public procurement processes can foster environmental and social progress within a nation's development framework. This innovation & markets research insight is drawn from a 2014 study published in BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University). Using Literature review and case study analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: Incorporate sustainability metrics and requirements into public tender documents and evaluation processes to steer market innovation towards environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.

Study
Innovation & MarketsHigh ImpactStrong effect

Public procurement can drive sustainable development in emerging economies

Strategic integration of sustainability criteria into public procurement processes can foster environmental and social progress within a nation's development framework.

BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University) · 2014

01

Key Findings

  • 01Current public procurement practices in Bangladesh lack explicit sustainability considerations.
  • 02There is significant potential for public procurement to drive sustainable development by incorporating environmental and social criteria.
  • 03Barriers to implementing sustainable public procurement include a lack of awareness, capacity, and clear policy guidelines.
02

Application

Design takeaway

Incorporate sustainability metrics and requirements into public tender documents and evaluation processes to steer market innovation towards environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.

How to apply

When designing public sector projects or advising government bodies, advocate for the inclusion of sustainability clauses in procurement documents, such as energy efficiency standards for electronics or recycled content requirements for construction materials.

Project actions

  • 01Focus on a specific sector where public procurement has a large impact (e.g., construction, IT, transportation).
  • 02Research existing national or international guidelines for sustainable public procurement.
  • 03Consider the economic implications of sustainable procurement – does it cost more initially but save in the long run?
03

Method & Evidence

AimTo investigate how public procurement can be utilized as a tool to achieve sustainable development goals in Bangladesh.
MethodLiterature Review and Case Study Analysis
ProcedureThe research involved reviewing existing literature on sustainable public procurement and sustainable development, and then analyzing the current procurement practices in Bangladesh to identify opportunities and challenges for integrating sustainability.
ContextPublic sector procurement in emerging economies, specifically Bangladesh.

Variables

IVIntegration of sustainability criteria into public procurement policies.
DVLevel of sustainable development (environmental, social, economic).
CVEconomic conditions, existing regulatory frameworks, market maturity.
04

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

  • +Addresses a critical intersection of policy and market dynamics.
  • +Highlights a practical mechanism for driving large-scale change.

Limitations

The effectiveness of sustainable procurement can be influenced by political will, corruption, and the availability of truly sustainable options in the market.

Reliability & validity

The findings are based on literature review and case study analysis, which may be subject to the quality and scope of the reviewed materials and the specific context of Bangladesh. Generalizability to other regions requires further investigation.

Think critically

To what extent can 'green' procurement policies inadvertently create barriers for smaller, innovative businesses that may not yet meet stringent sustainability standards?

05

Design Principles

"Leverage institutional purchasing power to shape market supply chains towards sustainability."

This highlights a powerful, yet often underutilized, mechanism for governments to influence market behavior and promote sustainable practices. By leveraging their significant purchasing power, public bodies can create demand for eco-friendly products and services, thereby stimulating innovation and adoption of sustainable solutions.

06

What This Means for Your Design

Governments can buy greener and fairer things to help the planet and people.

How to use in your project

  • 1.Use this research to justify the importance of sustainability in your design project if it involves public sector applications or influences market trends.
  • 2.Cite this as evidence for the role of policy and procurement in driving sustainable innovation.
07

Add to My Project

08

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

This research indicates that public procurement is a potent lever for achieving sustainable development. By integrating environmental and social criteria into procurement processes, governments can effectively shape market demand, encouraging businesses to innovate and adopt more sustainable practices. This approach is particularly relevant for emerging economies seeking to balance economic growth with ecological and social responsibility.

09

Source

BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University)

Addressing sustainability through public procurement for sustainable development of Bangladesh

journal · 2014

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about public procurement can drive sustainable development in emerging economies?
Incorporate sustainability metrics and requirements into public tender documents and evaluation processes to steer market innovation towards environmentally and socially responsible outcomes. Evidence: BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University) (2014).
Why does "Public procurement can drive sustainable development in emerging economies" matter for design?
This highlights a powerful, yet often underutilized, mechanism for governments to influence market behavior and promote sustainable practices. By leveraging their significant purchasing power, public bodies can create demand for eco-friendly products and services, thereby stimulating innovation and adoption of sustainable solutions.
How can designers apply this research?
Incorporate sustainability metrics and requirements into public tender documents and evaluation processes to steer market innovation towards environmentally and socially responsible outcomes.
What were the main findings?
Current public procurement practices in Bangladesh lack explicit sustainability considerations.. There is significant potential for public procurement to drive sustainable development by incorporating environmental and social criteria.. Barriers to implementing sustainable public procurement include a lack of awareness, capacity, and clear policy guidelines.
What research method was used?
Literature Review and Case Study Analysis.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2014 journal from BRAC University Institutional Repository (BRAC University).
What should I do differently in my next project?
When designing public sector projects or advising government bodies, advocate for the inclusion of sustainability clauses in procurement documents, such as energy efficiency standards for electronics or recycled content requirements for construction materials.
What are the limitations?
The study is specific to Bangladesh and may not be directly generalizable to all contexts without adaptation.