Unpacking public procurement transparency through mediating and moderating mechanisms

Purpose This study aims to examine factors associated with procurement officers’ perceptions of transparent public procurement practices (TPP) through the interaction of institutional isomorphism, top management commitment (TMC) and nongovernmental stakeholders (NGS). Design/methodology/approach This study collected 411 usable responses through the closed-ended structured questionnaire among procurement officers of public agencies of Bangladesh. Collected data have been analyzed using the PLS-SEM to test the hypothesized associations among the constructs. Findings The findings indicate that coercive, normative and mimetic pressures are positively associated with perceived TPP. TMC shows significant indirect associations between normative and mimetic pressures and perceived TPP. However, mimetic pressure findings should be interpreted cautiously due to weak internal consistency. NGS are found to condition the association between coercive pressure and perceived TPP. Social implications This research has implications for policymakers, donors and other NGSs by identifying institutional, managerial and stakeholder-related factors associated with procurement officers perceived TPP practices, thereby supporting efforts related to trust in public governance. Originality/value This study presents a cohesive model of factors associated with perceived TPP by integrating institutional theory, upper echelons theory and stakeholder theory in the context of a developing country, namely, Bangladesh.