How are conflicting values navigated in public procurement? A study on the evolving role of procurement professionals

In Sweden, public procurement amounts to over SEK 900 billion annually, influencing both markets and society. Increasing demands to leverage procurement’s purchasing power to address sustainability challenges and contribute to societal goals are creating new complexities. Procurement professionals play a crucial role in balancing these objectives while upholding the principle of competition.

The project aims to understand how their roles are evolving and how local actors, such as politicians and chief financial officers, perceive their role. The study employs an interdisciplinary approach, drawing on theories from organizational studies and socio-legal research, and uses qualitative methods such as interviews and ethnographic research. 

The project provides new insights into how procurement professionals navigate conflicting values and offers both academic and practical contributions to policy discussions.