Title: Ethics and unsuccessful bidding: a case study from a public entity in Brazil

Authors: Flavio Martins; Luciana Morilas

Addresses: Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 – Monte Alegre – Sala 11, Bloco C2, FEA-RP CEP: 14040-900, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil ' Av. Bandeirantes, 3900 – Monte Alegre – Sala 11, Bloco C2, FEA-RP CEP: 14040-900, Ribeirão Preto/SP, Brazil

Abstract: Bidding is a space likely to threaten the ethics of public administration. As an innovative form of bidding, the electronic reverse auction fosters ethics, economy and transparency. The University of São Paulo - USP, the biggest university in South America, solely and completely state funded, has the legal obligation to contract after bids and frequent uses the modality. Although its reported benefits are many, there are several negative results: the reverse auctions end up failed or deserted and can be revoked or nullified. This study identifies the main reasons for the unsuccess of reverse auctions at USP/Ribeirão Preto, within 2013-2016. After a documentary research in the electronic websites where the biddings are registered, the main factors found were the non-compliance of the descriptive and reference stipulated price. Failures can be harmful to both administrative principles and the public funds, and should be minimised to make state more efficient.

Keywords: bidding; electronic reverse auction; government; efficiency; e-procurement; public administration principles; procurement; economy; ethics; public exchange; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/LAJMSD.2018.093830

Latin American Journal of Management for Sustainable Development, 2018 Vol.4 No.2, pp.154 - 166

Received: 10 Feb 2018
Accepted: 29 Apr 2018
Published online: 06 Aug 2018 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article