ANALYSIS OF GREEN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT IMPACT ON SUPPLIERS: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY

Green Public Procurement (GPP) policies are gaining in importance as public organisations seek to encourage responsible practices to improve sustainability. These policies require public organisations to incorporate green criteria into their supplier selection processes, with the aim of steering supply chains towards more sustainable paths. To date, GPP has been extensively analysed from the perspective of procuring organisations, including its impact on their operations and supply relationships, as well as the factors influencing its adoption. However, existing literature is limited on the evidence of the impact of GPP on public sector suppliers. Accordingly, this master thesis investigates the experiences of suppliers of a large public university in a region with established GPP practices. The impacts of GPP policies on the operations and supply networks of these suppliers are then mapped. Through a multiple case study methodology, this research analyses data collected from semi-structured interviews with suppliers and supporting documentation provided by both suppliers and public partner organisations. This triangulation of data provides insight into the nuances with which GPP influences supplier practices. The results reveal that GPP has a significant impact on the cost structure of suppliers, often increasing the costs associated with meeting stricter environmental criteria and obtaining mandatory certifications to participate in tenders. Furthermore, the findings suggest that GPP has instigated intricate mechanisms of supply chain reconfiguration, both narrowing and expanding the supply base of suppliers. Moreover, the findings of this study can inform policymakers seeking to effectively harness GPP and suppliers operating within the context of sustainable public procurement. Keywords: Green Public Procurement, Minimum Environmental Criteria, Sustainable Supply Chain Management, Green Purchasing