Institutional influences on public procurement adherence in Bangladesh

Purpose Grounded in Oliver’s (1991) institutional model, this study aims to identify the institutional influences that shape procurement adherence in Bangladesh, offering evidence-based insights into how institutional dynamics affect compliance behaviors in the public sector. Design/methodology/approach A questionnaire survey was employed for public procurement officers involved in government procurement activities. A total of 398 usable responses were received. The SPSS technique was used for descriptive analysis, while partial least squares structural equation modeling was adopted to examine the hypotheses. Findings The findings reveal that five factors – economic gain, dependence on rule setters, policy compatibility, professional discretion and coercive power – positively and significantly influence adherence to public procurement principles. Originality/value This study extends the existing literature by providing empirical insights into how institutional influences of coercive, normative and mimetic pressures affect adherence to public procurement principles in Bangladesh. As research on institutional impacts in this context remains limited, the findings offer valuable implications for policymakers and practitioners seeking to enhance procurement compliance and governance.