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Public–Private Partnerships (PPP) are long-term agreements for procuring public projects that bundle up design, build, finance, operation and management. The UK's version, Project Finance Initiative, was a policy-based framework, now defunct. Instead, PPPs in Caribbean British Overseas Territories (BOTs) are based on rigid models, with early stopovers focused on ensuring financial sustainability. A comparative analysis among Caribbean BOTs concludes that they show common models, and that those BOTs that need PPPs the most have set up the biggest hurdles to get them started. The analysis comprises four features: legal sources, administrative safeguards, scope restrictions for sector and value, and accountability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractRapid urbanization, poverty and socio-economic inequalities are causes of the backlog of informal settlements in South Africa, as dwellers cannot access formal housing schemes. Such unplanned settlements often need more basic services, social facilities and adequate housing. Nevertheless, informal settlements are core parts of the urban form rather than places for eradication. This article examines self-building and community-led upgrading practices in three case studies of partially and non-serviced informal settlements in Durban. It adopts action research participatory methods to coproduce knowledge and map various perspectives around community-led housing upgrading, building materials and construction skills in an effort to enhance community resilience and self-reliance. The findings reveal the key drivers and challenges associated with self-building, informal procurement and overall project management of the housing process. Successful grassroots practices demonstrate community ownership and dweller control beyond the physical upgrading per se. The lessons learned call for inclusive, participatory, and incremental approaches for effective community organization, self-reliance, social capital and livelihood development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to speed up the purchases of essential products and services required by the public administration to tackle the sanitary crisis caused by COVID-19, the Brazilian federal government enacted laws No. 13,979 and No. 14,035 in 2020, exempting such items from the procurement process. This research aimed to investigate the impact of the flexibility in Brazilian law on government bids. For this purpose, a database composed of items acquired between January 2019 and December 2020 was built, and the empirical strategy was based on Difference-in-Differences models. The results indicate that the effect of this legal provision on the price of potentially affected items was an increase of approximately 5%. Some explanations for this price increase are due to the pressure of demand, changes in the strategic planning of companies and in the way they allocate their workers, which affect the costs of these companies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the shifting lines between ethics and law in the policing and punishment of prostitution in nineteenth-century Tehran. It begins by exploring Tehran's urban policing and legal institutions before examining how illicit sexual acts were defined alternatively as sins or crimes, depending on the relative publicness of the act, in prescriptive and legal texts. It then turns to how this played out in practice by analyzing a first-hand account of a private party and a rare testimonial document signed by neighborhood residents complaining about a pimping and procurement ring in their midst. Prostitutes and pimps regularly evaded penal sanction through close contacts with the police, which prompted an array of government strategies to address prostitution. Finally, the article ends by discussing known cases of punishment for prostitution and pimping in Tehran, including two Tehrani prostitutes whose crimes drew the attention of Nāṣir al-Dīn Shāh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: To facilitate the implementation of controlled donation after circulatory death (cDCD) programs even in hospitals not equipped with a local extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) team, some countries have launched a local cDCD network with an ECMO mobile team for normothermic regional perfusion (NRP). In the Tuscany region, in 2021, the Regional Transplant Authority launched a cDCD program to make the cDCD pathway feasible even in peripheral hospitals with NRP mobile teams, which were "converted" existing ECMO mobile teams, composed of highly skilled and experienced personnel. Methods: We describe the Tuscany cDCD program, (2021–2023), for cDCD from peripheral hospitals with NRP mobile teams. Results: Twenty‐six cDCDs (26/40, 65%) came from peripheral hospitals. Following the launch of the cDCD program, cDCDs from peripheral hospitals increased, from 33% (2021) to 75% (2022 and 2023) of the overall cDCDs. The mean age was 63 years, with older donors (>75 years) in half the cases. The median warm ischemia time was 45 min (20 min are required by the Italian law for death certification), ranging from 35 to 59 min. Among the 20 livers retrieved and 18 kidneys retrieved, 16 livers, and 11 kidneys (single kidney transplantation) were transplanted, after ex vivo reperfusion, respectively. Conclusions: The use of NRP mobile teams proved to be feasible and safe in the management of cDCD in peripheral hospitals. No complications were reported with NRP despite the advanced age of most cDCDs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Increased costs in the health sector have put considerable strain on the public budgets allocated to pharmaceutical purchases. Faced with such pressures amplified by financial crises and pandemics, national purchasing authorities are presented with a puzzle: how to procure pharmaceuticals of the highest quality for the lowest price. The literature explored a range of impactful factors using data on producer and reference prices, but largely foregone the use of data on individual purchases by diverse public buyers. Methods: Leveraging the availability of open data in public procurement from official government portals, the article examines the relationship between unit prices and a host of predictors that account for policies that can be amended nationally or locally. The study uses traditional linear regression (OLS) and a machine learning model, random forest, to identify the best models for predicting pharmaceutical unit prices. To explore the association between a wide variety of predictors and unit prices, the study relies on more than 200,000 purchases in more than 800 standardized pharmaceutical product categories from 10 countries and territories. Results: The results show significant price variation of standardized products between and within countries. Although both models present substantial potential for predicting unit prices, the random forest model, which can incorporate non-linear relationships, leads to higher explained variance (R2 = 0.85) and lower prediction error (RMSE = 0.81). Conclusions: The results demonstrate the potential of i) tapping into large quantities of purchase-level data in the health care sector and ii) using machine learning models for explaining and predicting pharmaceutical prices. The explanatory models identify data-driven policy interventions for decision-makers seeking to improve value for money. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the multi-item, multi-sourcing supplier-selection and order-allocation problem. We propose an iterative procurement combinatorial auction mechanism that aims to reveal the suppliers' minimum acceptable selling prices and assign orders optimally. Suppliers use a flexible bidding language to submit procurement bids. The buyer solves a Mixed Integer Non-linear Programming (MINLP) model to determine the winning bids for the current auction iteration. We introduce a buyer's profit-improvement factor that constrains the suppliers to reduce their selling prices in subsequent bids. Moreover, this factor enables the buyer to strike a balance between computational effort and optimality gap. We develop a separate MINLP model for updating the suppliers' bids while satisfying the buyer's profit-improvement constraint. If none of the suppliers can find a feasible solution, the buyer reduces the profit-improvement factor until a pre-determined threshold is reached. A randomly generated numerical example is used to illustrate the proposed mechanism. In this example, the buyer's profit improved by as much as 118% compared to a single-round auction. The experimental results show that the proposed mechanism is most effective in competitive environments with several suppliers and comparable costs. These results reinforce the importance of fostering competition and diversification in a supply chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of green buildings or green buildings is highly needed in the present era, considering the drastic decline in global climate conditions. However, its development is greatly hindered because the implementation of green building concepts is primarily focused on new constructions, while almost two-thirds of the world's buildings are already built. Therefore, the objective of this research is to enhance the Performance of Green Retrofitting Implementation Time, which is expected to accelerate the growth of existing green buildings in Indonesia by identifying the Procurement and Permitting Processes of Green Retrofitting in High-Rise Office Buildings in Jakarta based on PERMEN PU NO 21 TAHUN 2021 (Regulation of the Minister of Public Works and Housing Number 21 of 2021) and Green Building Council Indonesia (GBCI) through work breakdown structure (WBS) along with their high-risk activities and improvement strategies using a preventive approach that Influences the Performance of Green Retrofitting implementation time. This research analysis involves 15 respondents' data on risks in the procurement and permitting processes, which will be processed using a qualitative risk approach. Based on the results of literature studies, expert validation, and respondent questionnaires, a total of 83 activities in the procurement and permitting processes of green retrofitting were identified, 214 risk indicators that affect the performance of green retrofitting schedule, along with 56 prevention strategies for the high-risk situation, aiming to accelerate the growth of existing green buildings in Indonesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Venous blood collection systems (VBCSs) are combinations of in-vitro diagnostics and medical devices, usually available as integrated set. However, purchasing and using a combination of devices from different sets is considered by clinical laboratories as an option to achieve specific sampling tasks or reduce costs. This systematic review aimed to retrieve available evidence regarding safety, efficacy, and economic aspects of VBCSs, focusing on differences between integrated and combined systems. The literature review was carried out in PubMed. Cited documents and resources made available by scientific organisations were also screened. Extracted evidence was clustered according to Quality/Efficacy/Performance, Safety, and Costs/Procurement domains and discussed in the current European regulatory framework. Twenty documents published between 2010 and 2021 were included. There was no evidence to suggest equivalence between combined and integrated VBCSs in terms of safety and efficacy. Scientific society’s consensus documents and product standards report that combined VBCS can impact operators’ and patients’ safety. Analytical performances and overall efficacy of combined VBCSs are not guaranteed without whole system validation and verification. EU regulatory framework clearly allocates responsibilities for the validation and verification of an integrated VBCS, but not for combined VBCSs, lacking information about the management of product nonconformities and post-market surveillance. Laboratory validation of combined VBCS demands risk-benefit and cost-benefit analyses, a non-negligible organisational and economic burden, and investment in knowledge acquisition. Implications in terms of laboratory responsibility and legal liability should be part of a comprehensive assessment of safety, efficacy, and cost carried out during device procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the 1980s, most reforms in major arms-producing countries focus on keeping costs under control by either promoting competition between suppliers or by reducing information asymmetry through audits and controls. Indeed, cost escalation represents a challenge but, in fact, these reforms try to adjust the functioning of defence market rather than questioning the institutional features of this latter. The success of defence acquisition structures also explains their limits. The current organisation of defence market was perfectly adapted to the geostrategic context of Cold War and a technological momentum that favours symmetrical arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union. Even if these structures still help deliver advanced capabilities, they can be considered as not sufficient to cover all the operational needs of armed forces. The conception of capabilities needs to go beyond a long-term planning while industrial approaches open the way to more agile development and manufacturing. An alternative defence industrial policy is necessary to complement the existing one. More modular architectures for complex systems provide the opportunity to increase the reactiveness of capability deliveries and to foster both innovation and competition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lean methodologies have enabled numerous businesses to enhance their processes, reduce inventory levels, and improve ergonomics. Additionally, lean has allowed organizations to adapt their technologies and keep pace with necessary advancements. However, despite the numerous benefits it offers and the implementation of lean thinking and procurement in the oil and gas industry, companies have frequently encountered challenges related to the timely delivery of materials and services. This research aimed to understand how the oil and gas industry implements lean procurement practices, investigate the relationship between lean procurement and supply chain performance, and identify the challenges faced by the industry in implementing lean procurement. The study employed a case study approach, focusing on the oil and gas industry's command centre as the target population. Through stratified random sampling, a sample of 37 leaders from the oil and gas industry was selected, representing 20% of the target population. Secondary data sources included the industry's annual reports and financial summaries, while primary data was collected through questionnaires. The quantitative data gathered for this research was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20, employing both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. Descriptive statistics components included percentages, standard deviation, frequency, and mean. Data presentation was facilitated through tables, charts, and diagrams. A narrative framework was utilized to present the results of the content analysis conducted on the qualitative data. Additionally, regression analysis was employed to further understand the relationship between lean procurement and supply chain performance. The study results demonstrated the existence of a positive and significant correlation between lean procurement and supply chain performance. Furthermore, the study indicated that the oil and gas industry utilized lean procurement strategies such as electronic procurement, 5S, comprehensive quality management, continuous improvement, supplier-firm collaboration, the pull system, and employee involvement and empowerment. The study's findings suggest that the oil and gas industry should foster relationships with service providers staffed by knowledgeable personnel capable of efficiently implementing lean procurement practices. By doing so, the industry can effectively address the challenges associated with timely material delivery and optimize its supply chain performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Health human resource management is the most important part of improving public health in Indonesia. Health human resources are also said to be a key component for driving health development which aims to increase awareness, willingness and ability to live healthily. As much as 80% of the success of health development in Indonesia is determined by health human resources. There is still a lack of health human resources in Indonesia due to unequal distribution and less than optimal management of health human resources. Indicators of the health Human Resources management function consist of Health Human Resources Planning, Health Human Resources Organizing, Health Human Resources Procurement, Health Human Resources Development. This study aims to determine the influence of the health Human Resources management function on the quality of health services for inpatients at the Mayam Citra Medika Hospital, Takalar Regency. This type of research is quantitative research using a cross sectional approach. The sample in this study was 110 health workers in the inpatient department at Maryam Citra Medika Hospital, Takalar Regency, obtained using the probability sampling method. Data collection uses a questionnaire instrument. Data processing uses the chi-square test, multivariate logistic regression test. Based on the research results, there is an influence of health human resource planning, organizing health human resources, development of health human resources and there is no influence of procurement of health human resources on the quality of health services for inpatients at the Mayam Citra Medika Hospital, Takalar Regency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: UK healthcare expenditure is now £193.8 billion a year. The procurement function is seen as central to driving efficiencies within the NHS. This comes with an increasing onus on clinicians, including nurses and allied health professionals, to accept procurement outcomes to realise efficiency savings, with or without prior engagement. Aims: This empirical study seeks to examine whether clinical engagement in the procurement of healthcare products in the NHS is necessary to achieve value, savings and standardisation; it will thereby address a gap in the research. Methods: A multi-method qualitative case study design was used, which included a survey and eight semi-structured interviews. Findings: Results identified three factors that influence the achievement of value, savings and standardisation around clinical engagement: micro-level processes for clinical engagement; clinical stakeholders and clinical procurement professionals as experts at the centre of procurement activity; and clinical value in standardisation. A shift away from standardisation to resilience was identified, resulting from current market supply pressures. Conclusion: This research brings empirically derived findings to address gaps in research, supports the benefit of clinical engagement through specific forums for collaboration at a trust level and provides a clinical/expert impact/preference matrix as a resource for procurement professionals to facilitate clinical engagement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The multiorgan procurement (MOP) represents a chance for the general surgery resident to learn the fundamental steps of open abdominal surgery. The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of MOP on the residents' open surgical skills. Residents' surgical skills were assessed during a 6-month transplant rotation (October 2020-March 2021) using a modified Objective Structured Assessment of Technical Skills with the global rating scale. The surgeries were self-assessed by residents and tutors based on 9 specific steps (SS) and 4 general skills (GS). Each item was rated from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) with a maximum score of 45 points for SS and 20 for GS. A crossed-effects linear regression analysis was performed both to evaluate any associations between GS/SS scores and some prespecified covariates , and to study differences in the assessments performed by residents and tutors. Residents actively participated in a total of 59 procurements. In general, there were no significant differences in SS/GS mean scorings between residents (n = 15) and tutors (n = 5). There was a significantly positive association between mean GS/SS scorings and the number of donor surgeries performed (at least 5). Comparing the evaluations of the tutors with the residents, this significance was retained only when scorings were assigned by the tutors. MOP was shown to improve basic open surgical skills among residents. Awareness of the utility of a clinical rotation in transplant surgery should be raised also on an institutional level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The implementation of good governance is the main prerequisite for carrying out state goals, especially in providing public welfare. In line with the large demands of society for the implementation of good governance, the government must provide quality public services. In this regard, development planning is needed that is systematic, directed, comprehensive, and responsive to the dynamics of community needs. In the government's efforts to provide public services, it is necessary to develop and implement a real legal accountability system for the implementation public services, so that the implementation of government and development can take place in an efficient, clean and accountable manner. The responsibility of Commitment Making Officials in the procurement of government goods/services consists of administrative responsibility and criminal responsibility. Administrative responsibility occurs if an administrative violation occurs, and will be subject to administrative sanctions. Meanwhile, criminal liability means the possibility that a criminal act has occurred and can be subject to criminal sanctions. However, this responsibility can also be imposed on other officials involved in the procurement of goods/services, such as Budget Users, Budget User Proxies, Procurement Officials/Election Working Group, as long as their involvement in the criminal act can be proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The administrative contract is considered a means by which the administrative body uses it to manage the affairs of public facilities and cover what it needs for that purpose. One of the most important stages it goes through is the stage of opening and examining bids. The Saudi Government Competition and Procurement Law have established dedicated committees for those who open bids and examine bids for that purpose, and the role of the bid examination committee is to recommend awarding the contract to the bidder who wins the competition, and then the award decision is issued by the person with the authority. Here comes the problem regarding the award decision. Is it considered an acceptance on the part of management that matches the offer of the bidder, or is it merely an announcement and acknowledgment of the bidder's entitlement to the contract and remains the contract is not concluded until it is written and signed by all parties. Here, this study came to address this aspect and clarify what is the position of the legal text on this, and what is the position of the Saudi administrative judiciary on it. It was organized into an introduction, a preface, four sections, and a conclusion that included the most important results, including The Saudi administrative judiciary considers the awarding decision to be an acceptance by the administration and completion of the contract, and that the awarding decision can be appealed by cancellation like the rest of the administration's decisions. This study recommended that the text of the Competitions and Procurement Law be amended and the ambiguity and lack of clarity in this part be removed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study addresses the need to understand the complex interplay between emerging technologies and the well-being of procurement and supply chain employees, considering both the positive and negative impacts on their work environment. The study adopts the quantitative research approach and data was collected through a survey among a diverse group of procurement and supply chain professionals. The data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical techniques. The findings highlight a dual influence of emerging technologies on the well-being of procurement and supply chain employees. On one hand, these technologies contribute to job enrichment, providing employees with opportunities to engage in strategic decision-making, innovate, and focus on value-added tasks. On the other hand, emerging technologies introduce concerns related to job security, skill obsolescence, increased work pressure, and an erosion of interpersonal interactions. Premised on these findings, the study concluded that there is a need for a balanced approach in embracing emerging technologies within the procurement and supply chain sectors to maximize the positive effects on employee wellbeing while mitigating the negative repercussions. Thus, this study recommended amongst others that, organisations should develop comprehensive training programs to upskill employees and ensure they are proficient in utilizing emerging technologies. Also, organisations should prioritize employee mental health by providing resources, support, and a conducive work environment that balances the demands of technology integration with employee wellbeing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While the publication of the European Union's Strategic Compass was planned before the Russian invasion in Ukraine, the war clearly impacted its interpretation and roll-out. The strategic document requires not only that the member states increase their defence spending but that they also increase the efficiency of their spending. This special issue addresses this call for more and better defence spending in the EU from different perspectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(Correction) Tazeir in Islamic sharia is politeness, condemnation for committing sins for which limits and expiation are not legitimate) and it is a system that, according to its requirements, is a painful and condemning punishment for any sin that does not have a restriction and expiation, whether it is the sin is violation of the rights of Allah, such as the punishment imposed by the ruler on the promoters of heresies, those who doubt and doubt about religious beliefs and axioms, and those who encourage people to engage in debauchery and debauchery, or its violation of the rights of servants, such as starting in murders and wounds where there is no possibility of retribution, while the means of retribution are complete, and anyone who hurts another person by words, actions, or gestures. Whenever the problems difference between punishment and correction or (Tazir) and specific punishment in some area existed and also the doubt in some area upon someone correction or (Tazir) proofed and identifying the person who perform the Tazir or correction and in addition the qualification of correction or (Tazir) thus this study aimed to solve this complication. This study used analytical descriptive method. The result of this study displayed difference correction and punishment. And also displayed recognize of correction and its types and accommodation of correction where is it is legal where is not legal. In addition, it showed and refused the idea of orientalist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obsolescence of critical manufacturing inputs is a major supply chain risk and represents a growing problem for procurement professionals that must be handled appropriately to profitably meet customers' needs. Supply side obsolescence occurs when suppliers end production of components and has been defined as "the loss or impending loss of original manufacturers of items or suppliers of items or raw materials." Supply side obsolescence may radically increase costs to an organization, including high inventory holding costs, paying high prices for components on the gray market, and lost sales or lost market share due to an inability to complete products. This research utilized a grounded theory approach and discovered: (1) the risks of supply side obsolescence, (2) the impacts of supply side obsolescence on focal firms, and (3) how leading firms utilize obsolescence procurement teams to combat this potentially disastrous problem. Of specific interest to managers, obsolescence procurement teams are identified as formal teams that focus on dealing with obsolescence proactively and work to prevent the negative effects of supply side obsolescence. Finally, the study provides propositions to guide future research and concludes with suggestions for managers regarding mitigating supply side obsolescence, which will only become more urgent as the rate of technological change continues to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to rely on a diverse pool of suppliers, besides achieving cost effectiveness. Common wisdom, however, holds that these two aims are in conflict. We explore a model of dual sourcing and propose complementing a share auction with affirmative action to create an endogenous set-aside for a high-cost supplier. In our model more intensive affirmative action strengthens the targeted provider. This has the potential to level the playing field, inducing more competitive procurement overall. Our main result provides a condition under which the endogenous set-aside not only guarantees a very substantial share for the high-cost supplier, but also reduces the buyer's provision cost compared to a standard auction. We also illustrate how our approach can help reducing the severity and likelihood of health product shortages, such as those occurred during the COVID-19 outbreak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The public procurement sector has a high impact on the environment including pollution from manufacturing. Competition is the primary way that the United States government ensures that the most efficient facilities receive contracts, but whether this competition leads to more, or less, pollution is unknown. We explore the impact of competition for contracts on contractor pollution in sectors that handle chromium, a toxic, yet necessary, component in many goods. We find that competition alone has negligible impact on overall chromium releases among contractors; however, the way chromium is used in the manufacturing process does. Contractors that use chromium as a component report higher releases of chromium waste than contractors that only use chromium in non-incorporative ways. However, when contractors face higher competition for contracts, pollution levels significantly decrease. This suggests that both competition and the use of the metal are important. Findings support a complex association between competition and pollution generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

the paper analyzed the challenges facing Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in the implementation of procurement law. The paper adopted both the primary and secondary sources of data; data were collected through administration of questionnaires on the identified respondents. The study population of workers in the selected ministries, agency, contractors, and civil society organization consisted of 1398. A proportionate random sampling technique was used in selecting a sample size of 210 respondents representing 15% of the study population. Secondary data were obtained from books, academic journal official documents of LSPPA, and internet. Data collected were analyzed with the use of percentage, frequency, and mean. The result of the study revealed that the challenges facing Lagos State Public Procurement Agency; namely: poor ethical standard (58.9%, x̅ =2.5), shortage of manpower (72.2%, x̅ =2.1), and delay in the adjudication of contract malpractices (65.8%, x̅=2.1) were largely insubstantial challenges facing LSPPA in the implementation of public procurement law of the state amongst the ten acknowledged challenges. On the other hand, the paper further shown the challenges that were largely substantial for the LSPPA in the implementation of public procurement law in the state; such as: interference from political office holders (67.4, x̅=2.9), poor ethical standard (63.9%, x̅=2.6), delay in the release of appropriated budget (57.4%, x̅=2.7), political will and commitment to prosecute offenders (54.5, x̅=2.7), sharp practices in the award of contract (65.8%, x̅=2.8), politicized civil society organization (78.2%, x̅ =3.0), and submission of procurement plan (60.9%, x̅=2.8) substantially hampers LSPPA in the quest to achieve efficiency, probity, openness, value for money, accountability, and fair pricing amongst others. The study therefore, concludes that the challenges facing LSPPA, Lagos State Public Procurement Agency in the implementation of public procurement law in the state is largely substantial, and decelerates the policy objective targets of procurement law of the State. It was further evident from seven claims confirmation as against three claims that negated it respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global construction has been blighted by productivity inertia caused by behavioural bias for decades. While other industry sector productivity has grown more than fifteen-fold since 1960, construction has stagnated with no more than a seven to ten percent overall growth. McKinsey Global Institute's report Reinventing Construction: A Route to Higher Productivity, reported infrastructure construction amongst a small group of outperforming market sub-sectors at 15 to 20 percent. This paper, which charts the development of a unique procurement model designed for high productivity, builds on that performance using behavioural insights to counter damaging and habitual biases. The new model changes trading relationships using a nudged 'opt-out' contract structure creating a different responsibility dynamic between client and supplier. A recognisable but different infrastructure construction procurement model to improve productivity using recognised behavioural economics and construction economics. Highways England was set up to run England's strategic road network in 2015. The procurement model that resulted, Regional Delivery Partnerships can be refined for any infrastructure sector construction environment and sets up a key step forward in contracting based on integrated project delivery. Using a combination of counter bias strategies built from loss aversion and nudge theory this new construction procurement model uses 'opt-out' from lean construction to drive higher productivity. By setting up an integrator, to create an integrated project team, Regional Delivery Partnerships uses loss aversion as the motivational key to better innovation. It empowers the integrator to counter uniqueness bias and find and eradicate waste (process time and money) to enhance productivity. Reward is aligned to both optimised efficient design and high productivity working. As 100% of budget underspend can be kept rewarding the integrator, the potential of not achieving this triggers loss aversion and motivates change using the principles of escalation of commitment in favour of the client. Performance data is also used to motivate using reduced acquisition costs from secondary competition, long held as an inefficient market overhead. Using recognised pragmatic academic techniques, and constructionism; choice architectures were remodelled into a new outcome and value focused procurement model. Using applied research, the team used processes and techniques to develop, build, test, and deploy the model in open market competition. It can be used by any infrastructure sector construction client to replicate a sector specific version of Regional Delivery Partnerships that changes trading choice architecture towards higher productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procurement is a widely adopted collaborative approach for acquiring new systems in the public sector. It exemplifies a situation in which the early stages of digital system design define the boundaries and constraints of a new system that must be specified in the tender document (i.e., a binding offer). Researchers and government officials have long recognized the benefit of end-user participation in system design. Given the central role of the pre-tender phases in procurement processes, however, there is a need to better understand what affects user participation in such early stages. In this paper, we research a procurement process in municipal Child Welfare Services in Norway. We focus on caseworkers' participation in procuring a future case management system. We build on the concept of participatory infrastructuring to characterize how the meaning of participation was shaped through three overarching participatory infrastructuring practices of decision-making within a rigid procurement process: (i) scaling up the project, (ii) negotiating participation in meetings with potential suppliers and in tender documents, and (iii) positioning caseworkers as subject experts. The analysis of these practices reveals that the definition of user needs in the tender documentation and the creation of knotworks define both the boundary conditions and the modalities of participation. We contribute to the conversation on participatory infrastructuring in Computer-Supported Cooperative Work by discussing how participatory infrastructuring provides a conceptual understanding of participation in the context of municipal systems procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Procurement is one of the basic functions of any enterprise. Without them, no company would survive. In this scientific paper, we carried out research in the field of catering, that is, we emphasize how important purchases are in catering in every company, as well as how purchases are made regardless of the company's activity, and also how purchases are made in hotel-restaurant enterprises because they are necessary for the company to survive, to satisfy the demands of the consumers, that is, to satisfy the customers. We analyzed the behavior of the employees in the companies during the procurement process, how they face the risks in the procurement process and, most importantly, we can see how the purchases of a hotel-restaurant company enable success and prosperity in the company itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The war in Ukraine, coupled with a more turbulent international system characterized by geopolitical competition between the United States and China, is leading to a simultaneous change in the demand and supply side of the European defence market. On the demand side, European countries are adapting their procurement plans to move from a crisis management phase dominated by asymmetric warfare against small states or non-state actors to an era of strategic competition and potential conflict against peer adversaries. On the supply side, European defence industries are preparing to meet the increased demand for major equipment from national governments in the short term, while at the same time trying to be ready to invest in long-term innovation, in order to anticipate future government requirements for the new era. This paper investigates the interactions between demand and supply in the European defence market and provides a first illustration of the trade-off between prioritizing short-term readiness over long-term innovation and vice versa [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To review the current academic evidence describing how data from health technology assessments (HTAs) informs procurement decisions for medical devices. A systematic literature review was performed to identify relevant studies and criteria used in medical device purchasing or procurement decisions. Included articles were screened for relevancy and risk of bias. The included studies were summarized qualitatively. A total of 292 studies were screened, of which 11 matched the inclusion criteria. Included studies' geographies and HTA maturity varied. Some studies described hospital-level HTA processes, whereas others focused on national-level recommendations. Criteria for procurement decisions included standard HTA factors, such as efficacy, cost, cost-effectiveness, and budget impact; broader issues were also noted, including impact on the organization, ethical aspects, staff workload, and volume. There was little consideration of device-specific characteristics, such as life cycle, learning curve, or incremental technical innovation. Few decisions referred to HTA reports as part of the procurement decision; similarly, few HTA reports included a procurement perspective to help guide the procurement bodies. There is minimal evidence that notes HTA influencing medical device procurement. Procurement bodies and hospitals may not be incentivized to publish their work and transparency could be improved; further research would better describe the link between HTA and procurement. Such research would enable the HTA agencies to meaningfully assess devices to target procurement bodies and allow device sponsors to prioritize evidence. This could limit redundancy, improve evidence, and ultimately promote savings to healthcare systems and expand access. • Limited evidence exists regarding how health technology assessment (HTA) (at national, regional or hospital level) informs medical device procurement. • Our systematic review identified 11 studies that have assessed different approaches to use HTA in procurement. Some focused on national-level HTA, whereas others described the establishment of hospital HTA processes to inform decision making at a local level. • A key inference is that procurement bodies may not be incentivized to publish their decision-making processes, hence the lack of available evidence. We propose further transparency and research to establish key information used in procurement and to ensure that HTA processes adequately address these needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study an assembly system wherein one manufacturer purchases components from two suppliers with private production cost information. During the procurement process, the manufacturer can contract the suppliers either simultaneously or sequentially. The main question we address is how the contracting sequence influences the manufacturer's optimal procurement contract design. We find that the manufacturer's optimal procurement contract varies with the contracting sequence and the suppliers' cost structure. Particularly, under simultaneous contracting, the manufacturer will give up disclosing any supplier's cost if her cost uncertainty is low. Under sequential contracting, the manufacturer always discloses the cost of the first supplier who he contracts with, although he may not disclose the cost of the other supplier when the supplier's cost uncertainty is intermediate or low. We also identify individual firms' preferences between different contracting sequences. Particularly, the manufacturer prefers sequential contracting; the first supplier who the manufacturer contracts with under sequential contracting prefers simultaneous contracting; the other supplier prefers either of the two contracting sequences. Additionally, we show that the information rent under simultaneous contracting is higher than that under sequential contracting, while the system generates nearly the same profit under different contracting sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Public procurement is one of the ways in which authorities contribute to the welfare of citizens through investment and services. Articles in the literature have done relatively limited work on analysing the performance of the public procurement system and the factors that influence this performance in comparison with procurement and the way these processes are organised in private companies. The aim of this paper is to propose a new tool for analysing the factors influencing the performance of public procurement structures in Romanian government institutions. Based on the literature and the author's more than 15 years of experience in the field of public procurement, the present framework was developed. Several dimensions have been taken into account in the development of the tool, thus the following were taken into account: the organisation of the institution, the degree of specialisation of the staff involved in the procurement process, the degree of recognition of the procurement function within the institution. This questionnaire can be used in any analysis of factors leading to the performance of institutions in Romania in terms of the duration of public procurement processes. These analyses will contribute to the development of strategies in the field of optimising staffing requirements and improving the performance of procurement structures in public institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Consumer protection is one of the most important criteria within industrial food production. The Machinery Directive and DIN EN 1672‐2:2021‐05 contain general requirements for hygienic design and cleanability of food processing machinery. Nevertheless, it happens that machines or equipment parts are used that are not suitable for the products to be processed. The consequences of this go as far as a public recall of products with a corresponding damage to the image of the food manufacturer. The working group of machine manufacturers and confectionery companies in the IVLV has dealt with the problem at the level of the association within the framework of a pre‐competitive exchange and has developed a guideline for action as well as supporting forms for the procurement process of confectionery machines from the point of view of hygiene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Health and welfare technologies (HWT) are increasingly procured and implemented by public providers in Swedish municipalities, but it remains unclear if and how evidence for these technologies' effectiveness is used in both processes. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of evidence in Swedish municipal public sector procurement and implementation of HWT. Methods: A telephone survey of 197 municipalities was conducted with questions regarding the use of evidence in both processes, as well as eventual support needs regarding its use. Standard definitions of HWT and evidence were provided prior to the survey. Response frequencies and percentage proportions were calculated per question. Lambda (Λ) values with corresponding significance values were calculated for associations between responses to selected questions and the size and type of municipality, with values of 0.01 to 0.19 designated as weak associations, 0.20 to 0.39 as moderate, and 0.40 and above as strong. Results: Sixty-four municipalities completed the entire survey. Consistent use of evidence for effectiveness of HWT occurred in less than half of respondents' municipal public procurement processes. Two-thirds of municipalities did not have an established model or process for implementation of HWT that used evidence in any manner. More than three quarters of municipalities lacked a systematic plan for follow-up and evaluation of effectiveness of implemented HWT, and of those that did less than half followed their plan consistently. Most municipalities expressed the need for support in using evidence in HWT-related processes but did not consider evidence and systematic evaluation to be prioritized. Conclusions: Weaknesses and gaps in using evidence in procurement and implementation processes may create a legacy of sub-optimal implementation of HWT in Swedish municipal health- and social care services, and lost opportunities for real-world evidence generation. There was a clear indication of the need for unified national guidance for using and generating evidence in key HWT-related municipal processes and implementation. Such guidance needs to be developed and effectively communicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purchasing food in a way that minimizes negative effects on the environment, society, and the economy is a growing trend in the food industry. Sustainable procurement is discussed in this study, along with its significance, important criteria, and advantages in the food business. Businesses may aid sustainable development, lessen their impact on the environment, provide aid to local communities, and keep up with shifting consumer expectations for sustainably and ethically produced food when they prioritize responsible sourcing practices. To effectively implement sustainable procurement in the food sector, this article stresses the need for teamwork, openness, and a long-term commitment to sustainability. So, this paper ranks the best supplier in sustainable procurement in the food business to achieve sustainability. The concept of multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) is used in this paper to deal with the various criteria. This paper used the TOPSIS method as an MCDM tool to compute the weights of criteria and rank the suppliers. The TOPSIS method is integrated with the single-valued neutrosophic set to deal with uncertain and vague information. There are seven criteria and 10 suppliers in the food business are evaluated and ranked in this study. We obtained the environmental impacts as the best criteria in seven criteria. The goal of environmental impact prioritizing suppliers and products that minimize negative environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senator Fawcett notes the challenge posed by great-power competition in the Indo-Pacific region. He explores the role that Australia, a middle power, might play in this context, drawing on lessons from the Dam Dusters, President Theodore Roosevelt, General Omar Bradley and Dr ‘Weary’ Dunlop. He considers the deterrence value of military capability, the ‘big stick’; the importance of logistics, supply chains and procurement; and the provision of medical aid to nations of the Southwest Pacific. He concludes that we need to make sure that we are willing to defend our democratic freedoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cost deviations have long been a relevant research topic within the field of public works and infrastructure. Attempts to evaluate the frequency of cost deviations and overruns (CDOs), and the magnitude of these deviations, have been reported in the literature. Using data published by the UK National Audit Office in the period 1985–2018, a unique overview of 175 UK transport projects is provided in this paper. The aim of this work was to evaluate CDOs in the UK and to identify the main determinants, with a focus on exogenous determinants (context-related), which have been neglected in the existing literature. The results confirm that transport projects show a tendency towards overruns, although there are significant differences between road projects (with an average deviation of 18%) and other types of transport projects (with an average deviation of 60%). The results show that an increase in government efficiency levels leads to a decrease in cost overruns. The findings support an existing theory that there is evidence of the existence of political determinants in cost overruns, but also that economic dynamics play a role in explaining cost overruns. Whether the political bias is psychologically or strategically driven is yet to be demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the origins of procurement offences and their historical development in England. Procurement offences were created in 1885 to tackle so-called white slavery, as trafficking in women was then sensationally called. Through an analysis of a series of lower-level and appeal cases heard between the years of 1885 and 1925 and their social context, this article dispels myths about procurement for prostitution as an international, organised crime, showing instead how it was localised and poverty driven. The article also shows how procurement transformed from a narrowly defined trafficking-related offence into a broadly applied sexual offence. It came to be used as a 'catch-all' sexual offence that had the potential to encompass various distinct offences, from trafficking, rape and child sex abuse to deceptive sex. The legal history of the procurement is of particular importance as deception and questions of conditional consent remain deeply contested in modern criminal law. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the extent of compliance with the Lagos state public procurement law in the study area. These were with a view to assessing the extent to which the implementation of public procurement policy has enhanced openness and efficiency among the Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in Lagos State. The study utilized primary and secondary sources of data. Primary data were collected through administration of questionnaire and conduct of in-depth interview. The study population of 1,398 comprised the staff and stakeholders from agency, ministries, construction companies, and civil societies. The distribution was as follows: Lagos State Public Procurement Agency (100) ministries of Works and Infrastructure (240); Justice (481); Finance (89); and Housing (110). In addition, Hitech Construction Company (70); Craneburg Construction Company (69); Planets Projects (64); and Messers (FIDC) 58. Furthermore, BudgIT (31); Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Projects (32); Ymonitor (29); and Coalition Against Corrupt Leaders (25). The study adopted a proportionate random sampling technique of 15%. In the long run, sample of 210 respondents were selected for purpose of questionnaire administration. Also, two senior procurement officers in the Ministries of Works and Infrastructure, and Housing, with one senior officer of Lagos State Public Procurement Agency were chosen for in-depth interview. Data collected were analysed using percentage, mean, regression, and content analysis. The study revealed that the implementation of public procurement law enhanced compliance among the procuring entities in the area of professionalism (68.3%), competitiveness (59%), and adjudicatory mechanism (59.9%). The results also showed a statistically significant relationship in the extent of compliance with the public procurement law variant (openness and efficiency) and the selected procuring entities with the result of P-value 0.000, and the chosen a-value of 5%, 0.000<0.05 respectively. The regression indicated multi linear relationship among the procuring entities and variables of probity, openness, efficiency, N=2.413-0.044P+0.173R+0.212E. The study concluded that there was low compliance with the Public Procurement Law in the Implementation of Public Procurement Policy in Lagos State. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing damage caused by disasters is a major challenge for disaster management authorities, especially in instances where simultaneous disasters affect different geographical areas. The uncertainty and chaotic conditions caused by these situations combined with the inherent complexity of collaboration between multiple stakeholders complicates delivering support for disaster victims. Decisions related to facility location, procurement, stock prepositioning and relief distribution are essential to ensure the provision of relief for these victims. There is a need to provide analytical models that can support integrated decision-making in settings with uncertainty caused by simultaneous disasters. However, there are no formulations tackling these decisions combining multiple suppliers, multiple agencies, and simultaneous disasters. This article introduces a novel bi-objective two-stage stochastic formulation for disaster preparedness and immediate response considering the interaction of multiple stakeholders in uncertain environments caused by the occurrence of simultaneous disasters. At the first stage, decisions related to the selection of suppliers, critical facilities, agencies involved, and pre-disaster procurement are defined. Resource allocation, relief distribution and procurement of extra resources after the events are decided at the second stage. The model was tested on data from the situation caused by simultaneous hurricanes and storms in Mexico during September of 2013. The case is contrasted with instances planning for disasters independently. The results show how planning for multiple disasters can help understand the real boundaries of the disaster response system, the benefits of integrated decision-making, the impact of deploying only the agencies required, and the criticality of considering human resources in disaster planning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bureaucracy is everywhere. Unelected bureaucrats are a key link between government and citizens, between policy and implementation. Bureaucratic politics constitutes a growing share of research in political science. But the way bureaucracy is studied varies widely, permitting theoretical and empirical blind spots as well as opportunities for innovation. Scholars of American politics tend to focus on bureaucratic policy making at the national level, while comparativists often home in on local implementation by street-level bureaucrats. Data availability and professional incentives have reinforced these subfield-specific blind spots over time. We highlight these divides in three prominent research areas: the selection and retention of bureaucratic personnel, oversight of bureaucratic activities, and opportunities for influence by actors external to the bureaucracy. Our survey reveals how scholars from the American and comparative politics traditions can learn from one another. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the first weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic, European Union (EU) member states competed over scarce countermeasures. Regarding vaccines, a few member states launched exclusive joint endeavours, yet eventually, the EU centralised vaccine provisioning. The EU's external vaccine diplomacy proceeded almost inversely. After stepping into the breach in global health governance, European leadership faltered and global collaboration progressed more slowly. This article explores Europe's diverging trajectories in the regional and global provisioning of Covid-19 vaccines. Focussing on the European Commission's leadership, we investigate to what extent it promoted regional and international cooperation and with what success. We also explain which factors enabled and constrained Commission leadership. Employing a controlled comparison and process tracing, we find that Commission leadership was more extensive and impactful in regional than in global vaccine provisioning. Member state support was the main enabling condition. Without support, institutional capacity and resources were insufficient for impactful leadership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reconstruction during the recent conflict in Afghanistan involved extensive construction of public infrastructure alongside an ongoing civil war. This article sheds light on some practical effects on construction projects of political instability, violence, and associated economic and governance conditions in conflict-affected settings in general. It contributes to knowledge on construction in conflict settings by identifying generic relationships that connect prevailing conflict-affected conditions with responding dysfunctional construction project practices. Through interviews with 32 practitioners engaged in construction projects during the recent war in Afghanistan, nine widespread dysfunctional practices were identified: fraudulent testing of materials, corrupt certification, excessive underpricing, fraudulent bidding, partial and complete tender subversion, contract reassignment, inadequate superintendence, and intimidation of superintendents. While these practices that were common in Afghanistan are not exclusive to conflict scenarios, they appear to increase in prevalence amid weakened regulatory systems that characterize conflict-affected situations in general. The expanded prevalence of these practices amidst conflict can crowd-out diligent contracting practices from construction markets. In addition to undermining project outcomes and associated political objectives in the short- and medium-term, potential persistence of such dysfunctional practices has long-term implications for construction industry development and infrastructure investment in places emerging from conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyses the impact of favouritism and corruption in procurement auctions in an emerging economy. In our model there are two firms: One is the favoured one, while the other is not. The firm that wins the contract needs to supply a good that meets a certain quality standard, failing which its payment would be withheld. There is corruption in the system: If the measured quality falls short of the minimum stipulated level, the winner can pay a bribe to inflate the reported quality. The same amount of bribe inflates the reported quality of the favoured firm by a higher magnitude as compared to the firm which is not in favour. It is shown that favouritism induces inefficient outcomes, reduces competition and leads to lower expected equilibrium quality. The favoured firm also earns a higher payoff. The welfare effects of favouritism are ambiguous and we illustrate our results with an example. • This paper analyses the impact of favouritism and corruption in procurement auctions. • There are two firms: one is the favoured one while the other is not. • Favouritism induces inefficiency, less competition, and lower equilibrium quality. • The favoured firm also earns a higher payoff. • The welfare effects of favouritism are ambiguous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To identify the origin of fresh and minimally processed foods served to hospital patients, and explore the challenges and enablers to local food procurement in hospitals. Methods: A mixed methods study was conducted in a healthcare network in Victoria, Australia. Packaging labels and product information were used to audit fresh and minimally processed foods purchased in 1 week. Processed food items and meals made offsite were not audited. Interviews were conducted with patients, staff and suppliers to explore their perspectives towards local food in hospitals. Framework analysis was used to identify themes. Results: Of 105 food products audited, 32% were imported, 25% were 'local' from Victoria and the remaining 43% were from within Australia (excluding Victoria). Qualitative interviews revealed several challenges including: increased cost of local food items, inconsistent supply and variable quality of local produce, difficulty accessing origin information, and lack of autonomy for hospitals to make food procurement choices. Enablers included: conducting a food origin audit to increase awareness, group purchasing organisation prioritising local food suppliers, and suppliers valuing local produce. Conclusion: A food origin audit and interviews with stakeholders provided a rich understanding of current practices and how to increase local food procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Power-sharing arrangements allocate not only political power but also economic resources from valuable state functions among powerful elites. Two broad hypotheses emerge from the existing literature regarding how elites allocate such resources: elites either distribute the control over valuable institutions or share the rents they generate. This article investigates which mechanism prevails by focusing on a major source of such resources: public procurement of large infrastructure projects. We analyse an original data set of infrastructure procurement contracts in Lebanon and investigate which politically connected firms receive larger contracts than non-connected firms. We find that firms receive inflated contracts only when they are connected to elites with a 'seat at the table' at the board of the implementing agency, rather than the wider set of powerful political elites. We argue that resource distribution depends on elites' access to important institutional functions, rather than other conceivable mechanisms of resource sharing. By penetrating key positions with loyal personnel, elites serve as brokers in collusive networks, or cartels, that succeed in undermining a process as complex as infrastructure procurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A principal wants to procure multiple homogeneous units from finitely many agents. Each agent has an increasing and convex cost function, whose exact shape is unknown to the principal. Utility is quasilinear in money. We study which mechanisms are strategy-proof and robust to collusion, both when the agents can exchange money and physical units (reallocation-proofness) and when they cannot (group strategy-proofness). To achieve reallocation-proofness, the principal must offer the agents a fixed price per unit. While group-strategy-proof mechanisms can be more complex, they are inefficient and run the risk of procuring no units at all. We characterize the set of group-strategy-proof and anonymous mechanisms with a uniform price. A standout feature is that the number of potential prices is bounded above by the number of agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The expansion of healthcare services to serve as many people as possible has led to the decentralisation of laboratory testing. Many laboratory tests are now made available at district hospitals and rural health clinics for certain states or provinces. Consequently, there is a proliferation of laboratory tests, techniques, equipment, and other required commodities at the different medical laboratories. The lack of central governance has resulted in a widely-diverse and non-standardised laboratory services that may eventually affect the quality of healthcare delivery to patients. To ensure a high-quality and standardised healthcare delivery across a state or a province, it is important that the relevant stakeholders outline and implement the necessary strategies to establish a streamlined medical laboratory network. In this article, we discuss the significance of laboratory procurement consolidation and centralisation in the steering of the standardisation of laboratory operations leading to a high-quality and efficient chemical pathology services in a defined region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article aims to explore some of the main aspects and practical problems to have in mind when readers are getting familiar with international commercial arbitration. The text does not pretend to be a profound analysis of the international commercial arbitration institutions, but to review some of the main topics to take into account to begin studying this settlement dispute system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The unprecedented and unchecked corruption practices that are prevalent in universities in South Africa have been aggravated by the minimal enforcement of policies and rules by university administrators and managers. This has opened up opportunities for corrupt relationships between internal and external stakeholders seeking to embark on corrupt activities in universities. As corruption is a worldwide phenomenon, this study selected previously disadvantaged universities in South Africa to investigate the effectiveness of university administrators and managers. The research examines the enforcement of policies and regulations in the effort to curb corruption. Objective: The study further sought to determine the extent to which service providers and politicians are enabled to manipulate the supply chain management and procurement systems, convincing the university officials to overlook quality standards and specifications. Method: This study was suited to a multi-case study approach, and the qualitative method was used to obtain data. A sample of 20 respondents were approached from different employment categories, including departments, faculties and trade unions. Results: The major highlights of the study pointed to the following as being the dimensions of corrupt practices in universities: rules and regulations were not enforced by university officials. There were obvious corrupt relationships and agreements among corrupt individuals, without any action being taken against them; there was a clear corrupt relationship between internal and external forces, which included bribery by funders, service providers and suppliers; there was political interference from members of management and council members, driving the corruption agenda. Conclusion: To fill the gaps that enable corruption in universities, the development of an anticorruption workforce is a necessity. This can be achieved through skills development, proper intelligence, cooperation from stakeholders, employees refusing gifts and/or bribes and consequence management for those who are driving corruption. Contribution: The findings of the study can be used to assist university stakeholders, agencies and decision-makers in understanding the nature and extent of the corruption that is prevalent in the institutions concerned. The research could have a positive influence on improving policy compliance and adding value regarding the scant literature on corruption in universities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The uncertainty associated with the location, severity and timing of disaster makes it difficult for the humanitarian organization (HO) to predict demand for the aid material and thereby making the relief material procurement even more challenging. This research explores whether options contract can be used as a mechanism to aid the HO in making procurement of relief material less challenging by addressing two main issues: inventory risk for buyers and over-production risk for suppliers. Furthermore, a contracting mechanism is designed to achieve coordination between the HO and aid material suppliers in the humanitarian supply chain through optimal pricing. The options contract is modelled as a stylized version of the newsvendor problem that allows the HO to adjust their order quantity after placing the initial order at the beginning of the planning horizon. This flexibility helps to mitigate the risk of both overstocking and understocking for the HO as well as the risk of overproduction for the supplier. Our results indicate that the optimal values for decision parameters are not "point estimates" but a range of prices, which can facilitate negotiation between the two parties for appropriate selection of contract parameters under an options contract. The results imply that options contract can aid in the decentralized approach of fixing the prices between the HO and the supplier, which in turn would help in achieving systemic coordination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]