Title: The 'dozen' elements substantiating sustainable procurement practice in Sub-Saharan Africa: evidence from Ghana

Authors: Foster A. Opoku-Mensah; Theophilus Maloreh-Nyamekye; Albert Ahenkan; Berhanu Temesgen

Addresses: Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Ghana Business School, P.O. Box 78, Legon-Accra, Ghana; College of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia ' Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Ghana Business School, P.O. Box 78, Legon-Accra, Ghana ' Department of Public Administration and Health Services Management, University of Ghana Business School, P.O. Box 78, Legon-Accra, Ghana ' College of Business and Economics, Addis Ababa University, P.O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract: Recent research has indicated African countries have begun resorting to sustainable procurement (SP) to fight environmental challenges facing the continent but fails to provide details of how it manifests. To fill this void, 24 people along the supply chain of the two biggest teaching hospitals in Ghana were interviewed to explore evidence of SP. A relational analysis confirmed evidence of SP practice. Twelve elements of sustainability practice were identified to include: training; life cycle analysis; environmentally friendly waste handling; stock control; sustainable tendering; sustainable storage and inventory management; organisational health and safety; supplier capability assessment; due diligence; inspecting products at delivery points; environmentally friendly buying; complying with laws; and specification of needs and evaluation of bids. The study, however, could not ascertain which of these elements is a significant sustainability practice and is, therefore, calling for studies to test the significance of these elements to aid strategic policymaking.

Keywords: elements; elements of sustainability; procurement; sustainability; sustainable procurement; Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital; Kurle Bu Teaching Hospital; Ghana.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2022.125852

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2022 Vol.15 No.6, pp.725 - 746

Received: 15 Oct 2020
Accepted: 10 Jan 2021
Published online: 30 Sep 2022 *

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