The Role of In-House Procurement According to Finnish Municipalities' Purchase Invoice Data

Abstract

Public sector is a large consumer for ICT systems and services development used for various public services. Tendering for such systems is governed by laws aimed at eliminating unfair advantages and offering all possible parties equal opportunities to participate in the tendering process. In this article, we study in-house procurement, where the acquiring organization is an owner of the subcontractor that delivers the system. Municipalities’ purchase invoice data is used to determine how greatly municipalities in Finland depend on in-house procurement. In conclusion, the understanding if included municipalities have ICT service and development units within the organizations needs closer examination, as in-house companies may offer municipalities with limited resources divided costs in the public procurement process.