Impact of adhering to public procurement principles on procurement performance in Bangladesh

Purpose This study aims to examine the impact of adherence to public procurement principles on the performance of public procurement among government agencies in Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach This study used a questionnaire survey administered to public procurement officers involved in public procurement activities. A total of 398 usable responses were received. SPSS was used for descriptive analysis, and partial least squares structural equation modeling was applied to test the hypotheses. Findings The results reveal that six public procurement performance areas – cost-saving, better quality, time-saving, promoting innovation, allowing flexibility and fostering sustainability – are significantly impacted by adherence to public procurement principles. Social implications The empirical evidence of this study on the impact of compliance with procurement principles are significant, as they contribute to improving government accountability and transparency to the public, thereby fostering trust in public institutions. Originality/value This study is among the first to empirically examine the relationship between adherence to public procurement principles and procurement performance in Bangladesh, focusing on six distinct performance dimensions. By addressing gaps in the global literature, particularly in underrepresented developing economies, the research provides a replicable framework for understanding procurement systems worldwide. The findings contribute to the global discourse on enhancing accountability, efficiency and transparency in public procurement.