Akenroye, TO
2019,
Developing a framework to improve SME participation in public procurement : an investigation into NHS Trusts in the North West of England
, PhD thesis, University of Salford.
Abstract
The aim of this study is to develop a framework that can be adopted to help improve the participation of SMEs in public procurement. This research was carried out using a critical review of the relevant literature, analysis of data from a survey of SME owners/managers, development of a framework through the constructive research approach, a preliminary validation process and finally, the modification of the framework. First, six key policy measures being adopted to facilitate SMEs in public procurement in the UK were identified from the literature and then evaluated through a cross-sectional survey amongst SMEs competing for public contracts within National Health Service (NHS) trusts across the North West of England.
The findings suggest that most SMEs have awareness and a marginally positive attitude towards policy measures, but evidence from the study also indicates that SME participation in public procurement is far from improving. Furthermore, the research discovered some issues and concerns raised by SMEs about the policy measures, which have been addressed and considered towards the development of the proposed framework to improve SME participation in public procurement. Therefore, it is concluded from the findings of this research that, while the policy measures being implemented in the UK are necessary, they do exhibit some limitation, which makes them inadequate to effectively address the issues of SMEs under-representation in public procurement markets.
Consequently, a framework was developed based on data collected from the survey and findings from the literature review, to provide broader view of the approaches that might help to improve the participation of SMEs in public procurement. The proposed framework contends that collective actions from diverse stakeholders such as the government, public buyers, policy makers, large business and small businesses themselves, are needed to improve SME participation. Finally, the proposed framework has been tested (preliminarily) through a focus group discussion and found to be feasible and useful.
Key words: Public procurement, SME participation, policy support measures, United Kingdom.
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