Sustainable Procurement Behavior Among Contracting Officers

Abstract

In this study, I investigated the Department of Defense Contacting Officers' reported behaviors to implement environmental criteria into federal acquisition processes. I intended to enhance sustainability in Department of Defense acquisitions. The following research question guided this study: Is there a relationship between a Department of Defense Contracting Officer's reported affective commitments to change and their sustainable procurement behaviors? I gathered data from Department of Defense Contracting Officers affiliated with the National Contract Management Association. I utilized an online survey adapted from Grandia's (2016) study and applied multiple regression analysis to explore the relationship between their reported commitment to change. The study revealed a positive relationship between affective commitment to change and a construct of sustainable public procurement behavior among Department of Defense Contracting Officers, alongside an inverse relationship between their education levels and sustainable procurement behavior. I recommend the Department of Defense increase the Contracting Officers’ affective commitment to change by implementing more awareness initiatives, customized training programs, and incorporating sustainability criteria into performance evaluations.