Professional resistance against competitive public procurement in Iran

Purpose This study aim to examine the roots of professional resistance of procurement in Iran. Public procurement (PP) contracts, in developing countries, hide the structural problems of governmental management because of the lack of bureaucratic processes. Design/methodology/approach A two-phase qualitative study offers contextual and critical understandings on why Iranian PP experts, who are aware of the philosophies behind internationally endorsed principles, prefer to resist against the use of those principles. They help, unexpectedly, their traditionalist companions to resolve the difficulties of the PP contracts by the use of local methods and routines. Findings Evidence, from in-depth interviews with procurements professionals in Iran Oil industry, provides four specific themes of professional disorder, anti-internationalism, resistance mentality and politicized procurement. A preemptive resistance is characterized to guarantee that the national benefits in Iran are preferred over the international economic interests. Originality/value Iran has been in isolation due to political sanctions, for two decades. There are many diverse political and social reasons for resistance against professional public procurement.