Procurement Ecology: Living Systems Theory Applied To Public Purchasing

Abstract

This review analyzes Procurement Ecology: Living Systems Theory Applied to Public Purchasing, a groundbreaking work that reconceptualizes public procurement as a living, adaptive system rather than a rigid bureaucratic function. Drawing on living systems theory, the book frames procurement as an ecosystem shaped by dynamic interactions among policies, stakeholders, and market forces, advocating for resilience, flexibility, and feedback-informed governance. It critiques traditional compliance-driven models for their inability to cope with regulatory volatility, technological disruption, and sustainability imperatives. Instead, the book proposes an ecological approach where procurement policies evolve alongside shifting political, economic, and environmental contexts. Key themes include the need for diversity in supplier ecosystems, the integration of sustainability and circular economy principles, and the embedding of adaptive legal and institutional mechanisms. The work highlights procurement’s role as a driver of sustainable development, emphasizing that purchasing decisions have far-reaching social and ecological implications. It also underscores the value of feedback loops, data analytics, and continuous learning in fostering responsive procurement systems. Through vivid metaphors and real-world case studies, the book offers a visionary model for aligning public procurement with long-term societal goals, serving as both a critique of existing paradigms and a roadmap for more ethical, transparent, and sustainable public purchasing frameworks.