Challenges in Monitoring Environmental Performance Of Government Green Procurement: A Process-Based Analysis in a Developing Country

Proceedings of The 5th International Academic Conference on Research in Social Sciences

Year: 2022

DOI:

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Challenges in Monitoring Environmental Performance Of Government Green Procurement: A Process-Based Analysis in a Developing Country

Navarani Vejaratnam, Zeeda Fatimah Mohamed, Santha Chenayah

ABSTRACT: 

Monitoring environmental performance (EP) of government green procurement (GGP) is an important strategy towards achieving the policy’s objectives. However, evidence of developing countries undertaking EP monitoring is lacking, possibly due to the challenges faced. This article explores the challenges in EP monitoring of GGP in a developing country by taking Malaysia as an example. A process-based analysis was applied to facilitate a systematic and nuanced identification of the challenges in each phase of the EP monitoring process. Qualitative data was gathered via expert and semi-structured interviews. The three key challenges faced by Malaysia in EP monitoring of GGP were (i) limited EP monitoring, (ii) policy-practice mismatch and (iii) knowledge asymmetry. A total of six sub-challenges were discovered, of which policy and data gaps were common globally. The remainder four sub-challenges, i.e., gaps in methodology, communication, capacity building and knowledge and awareness, were new. The dynamics observed between the sub-challenges across Phase 1, 2 and 3 of the monitoring process reveal the complexity of the challenges. Governments may emulate the process-based analysis to identify challenges of EP monitoring of GGP comprehensively and systematically. Addressing the EP monitoring of GGP as identified can contribute to a better-informed decision and policymaking, especially in the context of a developing country. The findings advance the understanding of the challenges of GGP in a developing country context by looking into the process of EP monitoring, which are usually overlooked.

keywords: green public procurement (GPP), GPP barriers, monitoring environmental effectiveness, policy monitoring, sustainable public procurement (SPP).