Exploring the Underlying Factors for Non-Compliance among Public Procurement Personnel in Malaysia: A Conceptual Paper
List of Authors
Amir Che Mansor, IK Norziaton, Nur Hayati Ab Samad
Keyword
Procurement Non-Compliance; Procurement Personnel Behaviour; Training and Development; Leadership Quality; Information Systems
Abstract
Public procurement serves as a key instrument for achieving good governance, transparency, and value for money in the management of public funds. In Malaysia, the government has established comprehensive procurement policies, procedures, and regulatory frameworks designed to promote accountability and integrity. Despite these measures, incidents of non-compliance among public procurement personnel continue to pose significant challenges, leading to financial inefficiencies, loss of public trust, and reputational risks for public institutions. This concept paper explores the underlying factors contributing to non-compliance among procurement personnel in Malaysia’s public sector. Focusing on three key organisational determinants, such as training and development, leadership quality, and information systems, it investigates how gaps in these areas contribute to rule violations, audit irregularities, and procedural breaches. Utilising a library research methodology, this study synthesises insights from existing literature to explain how these organisational factors shape individual behaviour, institutional culture, and procedural integrity. The findings are conceptual in nature and are intended to inform future empirical research and procurement reform strategies. The paper argues that while regulatory and procedural frameworks exist, individual, organisational, and systemic factors remain underexplored and may play critical roles in shaping compliance behaviour. The expected outcome is developing a conceptual framework that explains non-compliance behaviour in public procurement and provides practical recommendations for enhancing compliance. The findings of this study will contribute to strengthening Malaysia’s public procurement system by informing policy reforms, capacity-building initiatives, and integrity-driven organisational practices. Ultimately, the study seeks to support the government’s broader objectives of promoting good governance and restoring public confidence in public sector procurement processes.