Fostering social innovation in construction ecosystem: the role of public procurement in sustainable practices

Purpose This paper investigates how public procurement practices in Nigeria's construction sector address worker welfare and social value creation. It aims to identify institutional barriers and recommend strategies for embedding social outcomes into procurement processes in higher education institutions (HEIs). Design/methodology/approach Using a qualitative approach grounded in institutional theory, the study draws on interviews with 19 professionals involved in public tertiary institution construction projects. Reflexive thematic analysis is applied to explore how health and safety, ethical labour practices and welfare measures are implemented in practice in alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Findings The findings reveal significant gaps between formal procurement requirements and site-level implementation. While regulations mandate worker protections, compliance is often undermined by weak enforcement, low contractor commitment and cultural assumptions about casual labour. Institutional misalignments across the regulative, normative and cultural-cognitive pillars result in the limited integration of social value in procurement practice in HEIs. Research limitations/implications To enhance social value in public construction, procurement agencies should strengthen enforcement mechanisms, incorporate clear social criteria in tendering processes and build normative support for ethical labour standards. Institutional reform is needed to move beyond cost efficiency towards inclusive and responsible procurement that highlights responses from entrepreneurs. Practical implications To enhance social value in public construction, procurement agencies should strengthen enforcement mechanisms, incorporate clear social criteria in tendering processes and build normative support for ethical labour standards. Institutional reform is needed to move beyond cost efficiency towards inclusive and responsible procurement. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by offering empirical insights from a developing country context, highlighting how institutional factors constrain the social function of procurement. It presents practical recommendations to embed social value in construction procurement and improve worker well-being through normative and cultural shifts.