System Change in Slovenia
Making Public Procurement More Effective
This report uses systems thinking tools to address pervasive problems in Slovenia's procurement system that the government has struggled to remedy through traditional regulatory means. The report outlines how room for innovation can be created within highly regulated policy domains and how governments can systematically benefit from it. Systems thinking allows for a new understanding of the role of procurement. The report explores potential reforms that could be designed from the bottom-up, to address specific behavioural and structural barriers – such as public perception, risk aversion, accountability and control functions – that cannot be addressed using only a legalistic approach.
Procurement as a critical function in government
For governments to achieve their goals, they must have access to the right capabilities, capacities, services and products. These are often provided internally by civil servants but in many cases need to be obtained from the private sector through public procurement processes. This chapter outlines the critical function of procurement beyond the value of money spent, and makes the case for procurement as a strategic tool with a focus on Slovenia.