Application scope for professional recognition of Public Procurement in Iran

Abstract: Public Procurement is one of the most challenging areas in public organizations. Around the world, different solutions are devised to combat corruption and enhance healthy work environment in public procurement. Aligned with international approaches proposed for improving performance in public procurement systems, policies and tools, there are also some management approaches to improve organizational performance and productivity in public procurement. This research focuses on how public procurement professionals, as executive agencies use their recognition power and what factors may affect their recognition power. We first, reviewed relevant literature on public procurement and agency theory. Then, special characteristics of public procurement in Iran are discussed and evaluated. We used a qualitative research approach that contained semi-structured interviews of experts and focus groups as well. The results show that, in most situations, public procurement professional in Iran do not possess full agency powers due to limiting legal, organizational and political factors. They simply have to coordinate themselves with their superiors within their limited and controlled authorities