Sustainable public procurement through Internet of Things and cloud computing in South Africa

Background: The South African public sector uses procurement and supply chains to address service delivery mandates. This approach must be based on a system that is inclined to ‘value for money, open and effective competition, ethics and fair dealing, accountability and reporting, and equity’. The current system is plagued by biasedness, poor record handling and insufficient contract administration. Aim: The study aimed to link the Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud computing with sustainable public procurement and supply chain management (SCM). Furthermore, the study investigates how Industry 4.0 technologies can improve process efficiency in public procurement. Setting: This study focuses on public procurement within the South African context. Methods: The study followed an exploratory qualitative methodology approach. Data were collected by one-on-one interviews and analysed through ATLAS.ti 24 following a thematic analysis approach. Results: The research revealed that IoT and cloud computing bring sustainability, stability and efficiency to the process. Furthermore, the study revealed other useful technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, robotics and blockchain. Conclusion: Utilising IoT and cloud computing in public procurement and SCM is best option for the South African government. They do not only bring efficiency to the process but also improve the advancement of preferential procurement and improve green economy initiatives. Contribution: This study contributed to the body of knowledge on the usage of technology in public procurement and to the sustainable development goals of reducing inequality and climate action.