A systematic approach to sustainable procurement practices in Bangladesh Television

Abstract

The increasing environmental challenges and the pressing need for responsible resource management have brought sustainable procurement to the forefront, especially in the public sector. This study delves into the existing practices, challenges, and opportunities associated with the implementation of sustainable procurement at Bangladesh Television (BTV), a prominent state-owned media organization. The research aims to establish a systematic approach that integrates the three pillars of sustainability—people (social), planet (environmental), and profit (economic)—into the decision-making process for procurement, ensuring that each decision considers long-term sustainability. In the regulated sector, public procurement pertains to how public sector organizations allocate public funds for the acquisition of goods, works, and services. It operates within a legal framework that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and the achievement of value for money for citizens and taxpayers. An analysis through the review of public procurement documents to find out the possible scope of sustainable procurement in present public procurement framework reveals that although there are some provisions in the Public Procurement Rules, 2008, Sustainable Public Procurement Guide, 2024 and Standard Tender Documents (STD) which relate to the sustainability issues, these are not sufficient in introducing sustainability in the public procurement including BTV. A mixed-method approach was employed, combining qualitative interviews with procurement officials from Bangladesh Television addressing three aspects namely economic, environmental and social aspect and relevant stakeholders, along with a review of policy documents and procurement records. The findings reveal that although there is growing awareness of sustainable procurement within BTV, actual implementation remains limited due to institutional inertia, lack of technical capacity, inadequate policy enforcement, and limited supplier engagement. Based on the analysis, the study proposes a structured model for incorporating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into BTV’s procurement lifecycle. The framework emphasizes the importance of strong leadership, regulatory support, capacity building, supplier collaboration, and performance monitoring to achieve meaningful sustainable procurement implementation. This research contributes to the discourse on sustainable public procurement in Bangladesh and offers practical recommendations for BTV and similar public institutions aiming to transition toward achieving greener and more responsible procurement systems.