Green public procurement as an effective way for sustainable development: A systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis

Abstract

Green public procurement (GPP) has emerged as a strategic tool for sustainable development. However, the drivers and barriers to effective GPP implementation remain unclear. Additionally, the growing volume of GPP research necessitates interlinking with sustainability concepts, such as sustainable development, to guide future research. This paper presents a systematic literature review and bibliometric analysis of GPP research between 2003 and 2023 to identify key themes, trends and research gaps. A dataset of 201 documents retrieved from the Web of Science database was analysed using CitNetExplorer and VOSViewer. By analysing prior literature on the effect of GPP on the achievement of sustainable development, we have found, among others concerns, that: (1) richer qualitative analysis on GPP is needed; (2) there is a gap in understanding localised factors influencing GPP in developing countries; and (3) the transformative role of digitalisation in promoting social and environmental outcomes in GPP is an essential factor. These findings will inform policymakers, practitioners and researchers on the effective implementation of GPP for sustainable development.