In a new series of blogs, we will be reviewing the current and historical work of City-REDI.
In the next blog from this series, we look at Dr Chloe Billing’s Leveraging Public Procurement to Drive Local Innovation report which is part of the ongoing work with the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC)
In today’s evolving landscape, public procurement emerges as a potent yet underutilised tool for fostering innovation and addressing complex societal challenges.
Recognising this potential, the Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre (IPEC), in collaboration with City-REDI at the University of Birmingham and the University of Manchester, has embarked on a mission to transform procurement practices across the UK.
A pivotal contribution to this initiative is the research brief titled “Leveraging Public Procurement to Drive Local Innovation” by Dr Chloe Billing, a Research Fellow at City-REDI.
This comprehensive study delves into how strategic procurement can act as a catalyst for innovation, economic growth, and improved public services.
Key Insights from the Research:
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Strategic Procurement as an Innovation Driver: The study underscores how public procurement, accounting for 10-15% of GDP in OECD countries, can be harnessed to stimulate innovation across sectors like healthcare, energy, and transport.
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Influencing Factors: It identifies critical elements that affect procurement’s impact on innovation, including the scale of procurement, technical capacity, and political considerations.
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Global Case Studies: The brief presents international examples where innovative procurement has successfully addressed public needs and stimulated economic development.
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Emerging Technologies: It explores how new technologies can enhance transparency, efficiency, and innovation in procurement practices.
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Policy Implications: The research analyses the UK’s new Procurement Act as a significant opportunity to embed innovation within public purchasing frameworks.
Dr Billing’s work provides valuable recommendations for policymakers and public sector leaders aiming to overcome challenges such as risk aversion and fragmented budgets. By adopting strategic procurement practices, governments can not only meet immediate public needs but also foster a culture of innovation that benefits the broader economy.
For a deeper understanding of how public procurement can be a transformative force for local innovation, explore the full research brief.
This blog was written by Dr Chloe Billing, Research Fellow, City-REDI.
Disclaimer:
The views expressed in this analysis post are those of the author and not necessarily those of City-REDI or the University of Birmingham.