Quality in the public procurement process

A review of performance-geared contracting

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic review of numerous writings addressing quality performance-geared contracting (PC) and self-stated performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study systematically reviewed 134 refereed papers across various fields published between from 2000 to 2018. A categorization framework of PC is suggested addressing fundamental dimensions of its plan and management.

Findings

The relative analysis of pertinent articles advancing interdisciplinary perspective encourages learning and provides knowledge about quality management in organizations especially at individual and organizational levels.

Research limitations/implications

The outcomes indicate that much of the present-day wide-ranging performance contracting studies do not have robust theoretical grounds. Studies are also inclined to certain theories for instance agency theory and play down other theories with the likelihood of contributing to quality management.

Practical implications

Performance contracting between citizens and public entities is important in that the written contract limits what the public entities, for instance, the government can and cannot do and informs on the rights and privileges of citizens, thus contracts to form the core of a free society.

Originality/value

This review demonstrates that performance contracting is useful in performance improvement if proper job design and contract management exist.

Quality and legal aspects in public care procurement

Purpose

– The purpose of this paper is to assess the applicability of care quality concepts as contract award criteria for public procurement of health and social care, using the case of Sweden.

Design/methodology/approach

– Based on a literature review, European and Swedish legal texts, government regulations as well as 26 Swedish court review cases concerning care procurement have been analysed.

Findings

– Methods used for assessing care quality are seldom useful for predicting the quality to be delivered by a potential contractor. Legal principles of transparency and equal treatment of tenderers make it necessary to apply strict requirements for verification.

Research limitations/implications

– Results refer primarily to a Swedish context but could be applicable throughout the EU. Further studies of relations between award criteria and public/private collaborative practices for improving care quality during contractual periods are desirable.

Practical implications

– Local and regional procurement officials should benefit from a better understanding of how quality criteria should be designed and applied to the award procedures for care contracts. Care providers in the private sector would also be able to develop their quality strategies and present their abilities more efficiently when tendering for public contracts.

Social implications

– Issues of quality of health and social care are of obvious importance for social sustainability. Public awareness of care quality problems is evident and often a cause of media concern.

Originality/value

– This investigation pinpoints the difference between traditional care quality thinking and the legal principles underlying contract award in public procurement of care services.