Cross-Sectional Analysis of Sustainable Procurement Practices in Public and Private Sectors

Thesis Abstract

The integration of sustainable procurement practices has become pivotal in advancing environmental stewardship, social responsibility, and economic efficiency within organizational supply chains, yet comparative insights across public and private sectors remain underexplored. This study investigates the extent, drivers, and barriers of sustainable procurement practices through a cross-sectional analysis, aiming to contribute to both theoretical understanding and practical implementation frameworks. The primary objectives are to (1) evaluate the level of adoption of sustainable procurement strategies in public versus private sector organizations; (2) identify key factors influencing sustainable procurement practices; and (3) examine the effect of organizational characteristics on the implementation of sustainability initiatives. Employing a quantitative research design, the study targeted a population comprising procurement managers and senior purchasing staff from 150 public sector institutions and 150 private sector firms in the manufacturing and service industries. Stratified random sampling yielded a total sample of 180 organizations (90 from each sector), with data collected via a structured questionnaire validated through pilot testing and expert review. The questionnaire measured variables aligned with recognized sustainability frameworks, including economic, environmental, and social dimensions, and incorporated indicators based on the principles of stakeholder theory and institutional theory to contextualize organizational behavior. Data analysis employed descriptive statistics to profile practice levels, followed by inferential techniques including independent t-tests and ANOVA to compare sectoral differences. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis assessed the influence of organizational factors—such as size, sector, and sustainability leadership—on procurement practices. Thematic analysis of open-ended responses supplemented quantitative findings by uncovering perceived barriers and enablers, providing richer contextual insights. It is anticipated that findings will demonstrate significant differences in the adoption and implementation of sustainable procurement practices between public and private organizations, with public entities generally exhibiting higher compliance due to institutional mandates but facing more bureaucratic hurdles. Key drivers such as leadership commitment, regulatory pressure, and stakeholder demands are expected to significantly influence implementation, while barriers may include resource constraints, lack of expertise, and conflicting priorities. The regression analysis is expected to reveal that organizational size and sector-specific policies are robust predictors of sustainability integration in procurement activities. This research aims to fill existing gaps in literature regarding sectoral comparisons by providing empirical evidence on the nuances, challenges, and opportunities inherent in sustainable procurement across organizational types. It contributes theoretically by integrating stakeholder and institutional theories into the analysis of sustainability practices, and methodologically by employing a comprehensive mixed analytical framework. The findings are intended to inform policymakers, procurement practitioners, and academic scholars by highlighting effective strategies, sector-specific considerations, and the critical role of organizational attributes in fostering sustainable procurement. The study concludes that while progress has been made, significant room remains for aligning practices across sectors through targeted capacity building, policy harmonization, and enhanced stakeholder engagement. Recommendations include developing sector-specific guidelines, investing in procurement capacity development, and establishing monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance and continuous improvement. Future research should investigate longitudinal trends and explore the impact of digital transformation on sustainable procurement practices, ensuring ongoing refinement of strategies to meet sustainability goals in diverse organizational contexts.