Emerging procurement competencies from the perspective of boundary role persons in the Indonesian context

The transition from manual to digital procurement is expected to enhance procurement officers’ competency. However, many challenges still reflect low competence levels. Although 496 studies have explored digital procurement, few have addressed how procurement officials feel and what competencies they need. This qualitative study involved 12 procurement officers to explore their pain, pleasure, and competency needs. Data from structured interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were transcribed and analyzed using a narrative and inductive thematic approach, consisting of four stages—from understanding participants’ stories to forming themes aligned with the research objectives. The study identified three main themes: pain, pleasure, and procurement competencies. The reported problems include changing regulations, complexity, conflicts and violations, operational limitations, and various challenges. Pleasures are derived from job satisfaction and rewards, conscientious work, effectiveness, rule compliance, and positive outcomes. Procurement competencies are categorized into two sub-themes: core competencies and support competencies, with the latter being divided into firm and warm support. The limitation of this study was that the researchers only used methodological triangulation without source and investigator triangulation, suggesting the need for broader validation in future research.