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Procuring for social responsibility? A micro-institutionalist analysis of shaping factors, operational tensions and unintended outcomes

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Deborah HarrisonORCiD

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Abstract

The global spending power of public procurement has driven increasing interest in its role as a strategic lever to achieve wider societal outcomes. This paper examines social procurement in practice, drawing upon a regional case study of UK Social Value Act implementation. Qualitative data is drawn from interviews and focus groups with decision-makers, practitioners and suppliers. Adopting a micro-institutionalist perspective, the findings expand our understanding of street-level practice, operational tensions and unintended consequences. A novel, multi-level framework illustrates the critical interplay between individual influences, local conditions, supply markets and systemic context as they interact to shape social procurement processes and outcomes.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Harrison D

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Public Management Review

Year: 2025

Pages: epub ahead of print

Online publication date: 16/02/2025

Acceptance date: 03/02/2025

Date deposited: 07/07/2025

ISSN (print): 1471-9037

ISSN (electronic): 1471-9045

Publisher: Taylor & Francis

URL: https://doi.org/10.1080/14719037.2025.2464751

DOI: 10.1080/14719037.2025.2464751

Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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