Is Public Procurement Truly Transparent and Fair?

Author's Information:

Shaista Shariza Ali

Master’s Candidate, College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Fiji National University, Fiji

Shalendra S. Kumar

Assistant Professor, College of Business, Hospitality and Tourism Studies, Fiji National University, Fiji 

Vol 02 No 11 (2025):Volume 02 Issue 11 November 2025

Page No.: 797-809

Abstract:

This study looks at how following procurement regulations affects viewpoint on fairness in public procurement practised at the Water Authority of Fiji. It further explores if perceived transparency does affect the linking between   compliance and fairness. A very structured quantitative method was used to collect data from WAF employees who are involved in daily procurement activities. Analysis was carried out using descriptive statistics that showed that practicing strict compliance procurement regulation improves stakeholders’ sense of fairness. Perceived transparency mediates the relationship between compliance and stakeholder’s view. The findings suggest that only following regulations is not enough to build trust and maintain ethical transparency to create confidence in procurement processes. This research helps one to understand how well compliance, transparency and fairness interconnect to amongst each other to improve governance, accountability and ethical practices in public procurement. The result can assist policy makers strengthen stakeholder trust  for efficient use of public resources.

KeyWords:

Public Procurement, Regulation Compliance, Transparency, Fairness, Governance.

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