A critical analysis of social procurement obstacles: insights from contractors and clients in Botswana

Joseph Kuruneri, Ayodeji Michael Obadire, Muneinashe Dube and Wiston Mudzingwa Zvivanai

Modern Supply Chain Research and Applications, 2026, vol. 8, issue 1, 47-78

Abstract: PurposeThis study aims to examine the barriers associated with the implementation of social procurement (SP) from the vantage points of contractors and clients as key stakeholders in the Botswana construction industry. The study further offers recommendations to mitigate these identified barriers, providing valuable insights for decision-makers in the construction sector looking to maximize the benefits of SP.Design/methodology/approachThe study employed semi-structured interviews to collect data from 31 respondents. Barriers to SP implementation were assessed within the four domains of the study's conceptual framework: resources, procurement practices, policy and regulation and socio-cultural aspects. Subsequently, the researcher conducted a thematic analysis of the gathered data to arrive at the findings.FindingsThe study highlights that key stakeholders in the construction sector are significantly affected by the same barriers hindering the implementation of SP in both developing and developed countries, though at varying rates. Fronting is one of the obstacles discovered in the study, which is not common in most developed countries where SP research is advanced.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's shortcomings include a lack of generalization due to the convenience sampling technique used and the lack of empirical research on SP in Botswana.Social implicationsThis research provides essential guidance for key stakeholders in overcoming SP implementation challenges. Furthermore, it gives the government information to improve social value initiatives.Originality/valueThis research is the first to assess SP obstacles in Botswana and adds to the conversation on SP implementation in developing countries.

Keywords: Clients; Challenges; Contractors; Social procurement; Social value (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.emerald.com/mscra/article/8/1/47/13361 ... f-social-procurement (text/html)
https://www.emerald.com/mscra/article-pdf/8/1/47/1 ... a-06-2024-0022en.pdf (application/pdf)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eme:mscrap:mscra-06-2024-0022

DOI: 10.1108/MSCRA-06-2024-0022

Access Statistics for this article

Modern Supply Chain Research and Applications is currently edited by YU Yugang

More articles in Modern Supply Chain Research and Applications from Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Emerald Support ().