Fostering sustainability through sourcing from small businesses: public sector perspectives

This article examines the opportunities for fostering sustainable development through public sector sourcing from small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Buying from small businesses can make such contributions in a variety of forms, ranging from a contribution to local economic development thro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of cleaner production 2008-01, Vol.16 (15), p.1600-1609
Main Authors: Walker, Helen, Preuss, Lutz
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Health care
Local government
Procurement
Small businesses
SMEs
Sustainability
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Summary:This article examines the opportunities for fostering sustainable development through public sector sourcing from small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Buying from small businesses can make such contributions in a variety of forms, ranging from a contribution to local economic development through providing innovative green products and services, particularly in the food sector, to helping the public sector organisation to better align its operations with its community. Sourcing from small businesses also has implications for the governance of sourcing processes and can benefit from a partnership approach. Barriers to public sector sourcing from small businesses are discussed and suggestions made on how these can be overcome.
ISSN:0959-6526
1879-1786
DOI:10.1016/j.jclepro.2008.04.014