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Buyer Quality and Procurement Outcomes: Explorative Evidence From the US

Author

Listed:
  • Spagnolo, Giancarlo

    (SITE, EIEF & CEPR.)

  • Decarolis, Francesco

    (Boston University, EIEF & CEPR)

  • Iossa, Elisabetta

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata, CEPR, IEFE & EIEF)

  • Mollisi, Vincenzo

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

  • Giuffrida, Leonardo

    (University of Rome Tor Vergata)

Abstract

We explore empirically the impact of buyer quality on public procurement outcomes. Using purchases data (Federal Procurement Data System) and survey data (Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey) from US federal agencies, we find that procurement quality is highly heterogeneous across different agencies and persistent over time. The qualitative aspect that better predicts procurement performance is the perceived degree of cooperation within the unit, followed by the presence of appropriate incentives. We then assess the main channels through which public procurer quality affects outcomes. We find that buyer quality improves the selection of suppliers and strengthens the association between the use of cost plus contracts and the negotiation procedure.

Suggested Citation

  • Spagnolo, Giancarlo & Decarolis, Francesco & Iossa, Elisabetta & Mollisi, Vincenzo & Giuffrida, Leonardo, 2016. "Buyer Quality and Procurement Outcomes: Explorative Evidence From the US," SITE Working Paper Series 41, Stockholm School of Economics, Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics.
    • Handle: RePEc:hhs:hasite:0041
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Barbosa, Klenio & Straub, Stéphane, 2017. "The Value of Revolving Doors in Public Procurement," TSE Working Papers 17-873, Toulouse School of Economics (TSE), revised May 2020.
    2. Elisabetta Iossa & Federico Biagi & Paola Valbonesi, 2018. "Pre-commercial procurement, procurement of innovative solutions and innovation partnerships in the EU: rationale and strategy," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(8), pages 730-749, November.
    3. Leonardo M. Giuffrida & Gabriele Rovigatti, 2017. "Can the Private Sector Ensure the Public Interest? Evidence from Federal Procurement," CEIS Research Paper 411, Tor Vergata University, CEIS, revised 20 Jul 2017.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Buyer Quality; Competence; Management practices; Procurement;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D44 - Microeconomics - - Market Structure, Pricing, and Design - - - Auctions
    • H11 - Public Economics - - Structure and Scope of Government - - - Structure and Scope of Government
    • H57 - Public Economics - - National Government Expenditures and Related Policies - - - Procurement

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