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Research Article
Buying into our future: sustainability initiatives in local government procurement
Article first published online: 12 APR 2007
DOI: 10.1002/bse.578
Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. and ERP Environment
Issue
1099-0836/asset/cover.gif?v=1&s=684f199c2419e4d1c2f1d662c39d1216b8131829 "Business Strategy and the Environment")
Business Strategy and the Environment
Special Issue: Integration and Communication - A Clear Route to Sustainability? Guest Editor: Frances Hines, Cardiff University, UK.
Volume 16, Issue 5, pages 354–365, July 2007
Additional Information
How to Cite
Preuss, L. (2007), Buying into our future: sustainability initiatives in local government procurement. Bus. Strat. Env., 16: 354–365. doi: 10.1002/bse.578
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 JUN 2007
- Article first published online: 12 APR 2007
- Manuscript Accepted: 26 JAN 2007
- Manuscript Revised: 16 JAN 2007
- Manuscript Received: 20 DEC 2006
- Abstract
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- procurement;
- local government;
- sustainability;
- public sector
Abstract
Local government in the United Kingdom is well placed to make a contribution to sustainable development in its area. Although only enjoying partial autonomy from central government without its own constitutional basis, its aggregate purchasing expenditure dwarfs that of central government. Case study research into procurement by local authorities in England reveals a wide range of activities aimed at addressing the challenges of sustainable development, covering environmental and social as well as economic development aspects. However, these initiatives are still of a patchy nature, in terms of both differences between aspects of sustainability and variation between local authorities. Many sustainability initiatives also have cost implications for local government, which may clash with other priorities. To overcome such barriers, local authorities could cooperate with other public sector organizations in the United Kingdom and beyond, as well as with the private sector, to learn from the sustainability experience elsewhere. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.