Sustainable procurement concept: Does it all add up?

Abstract

Sustainable procurement sits under the umbrella of sustainability, which involves making decisions that maintain the right balance between the environment, society and economy to ensure long-term organizational success. Recent studies indicate that organizations have embraced sustainability in procurement processes however the balancing act is missing. Yet SP play key roles of minimal impact to environment, cost reduction, quality goods /services and service delivery to ensure organization achieve a competitive edge. The purpose of this study was to establish the best combination that organization can adapt to achieve sustainability. The objective of this study was to establish the balancing act of sustainability by finding out the best combination: (environmental and economic, social and economic, environmental and social or economic, environmental and social). Literature review was adopted as a method of the study. Six studies were reviewed and interpenetrated using aggregative meta-synthesis. From the study it was found out that the best combination was environmental, social and economic. The study concluded that SP will all add up if organizations adapt the best combination. The study recommends that organization to start viewing SP as a strategic function.