HOW TO BRIDGE THE EUROPEAN E-PROCUREMENT GAP

The current economic climate has seen scrutiny of public sector spending intensify. Tax payers have become increasingly critical of how and why money is spent, forcing governments across the European Union to look at ways that they can further reduce costs -- especially in the back office. Effective procurement can save millions of pounds and has become a focal point for many public sector organizations, but there is still debate as to how much of this process can be moved online. This article will highlight the pivotal role that e-procurement can play in helping public sector organizations both now and in the future. It will also explore the current barriers to successful adoption as well as looking at some of the steps that public sector bodies can take to advance their e-procurement processes. For effective European procurement to truly flourish, the industry needs support and education from individual governments and public sector buy-in.