Public e-Procurement: Advantages, Limitations and Technological "Pitfalls"

Public purchase is an implementing tool of public policy that promotes the public value. Framed by a policy and management strategy, it focus the economic efficiency, but also improves the social promotion of socio-economic reality. In the context of governance, the challenge is to monitor, manage and evaluate the impacts of public purchase in the creation of public value. The answer has also adopted the information and communication technologies. Public e-procurement presents itself as one of the most relevant egovernment initiatives. In European Union, Portugal is presented as a good example. The mandatory adoption of electronic public purchase platforms lead to this recognition. The advantages are significant. However, they have limitations. Through a literature review and qualitative interviews, this paper aims to contribute to the discussion about additional efforts that are needed to be implemented to promote effectively a more transparent and accountable governance, in the defense of the public interest.