New education in public procurement - a groundbreaking initiative

Sofia Lundberg and Tom Madell.

ImageMalin Gronborg

This programme is the first of its kind in Sweden and will lead to a Master of Science degree in Public Procurement. It is aimed at both professionals and graduates from, for example, business administration, engineering, or social science bachelor’s programmes, and will be offered both full-time and part-time to meet different needs. The new Master’s programme is interdisciplinary and rests on a scientific foundation and a strong research environment, including economics, law, and informatics. The development of the programme is led by, among others, Professor Sofia Lundberg (Economics) and Professor Tom Madell (Law), who are also the programme directors.

How do you think this programme will impact the supply of expertise in the public sector and business community?


– Nationally and internationally, the demand for procurement professionals is high and continues to grow. The reason for this increasing demand is that public procurement is an expanding field where the strategic role of procurement professionals is becoming more significant, and the requirements for professionalising the role are increasing. The demand for procurement professionals is rising, and the job market for those who want to work in this field and have the right skills is strong.
Despite this, Sweden lacks university-level programmes in public procurement. Among practitioners and industry organisations, the need for education in public procurement has been raised repeatedly, while surveys show that the supplier side calls for improved competence among procurement professionals.
The Swedish Association of Public Purchasers (SOI) has developed a competency profile for public purchasers. The profile covers 13 scientific areas and reflects a complex and challenging role that is of increasing central importance in public organisations. As complexity and demands increase, so do competency requirements. The programme does not cover all 13 areas specified by SOI, but it provides broader competence than the courses currently available. The establishment of the main field of study is a prerequisite for the broad entry into the programme. Around 4,000 organisations in Sweden are covered by the legislation and regularly organise public procurements or freedom-of-choice systems, say Sofia and Tom.

Public procurement, which is regulated by EU directives and Swedish legislation, is a strategically important area. It amounts to approximately SEK 900 billion annually in Sweden – almost 18 percent of GDP – and covers everything from relatively standardized products to complex services and construction contracts. Through the programme, students gain in-depth knowledge of the legal, socio-economic, and digital dimensions of procurement, and how it can be used as a policy tool for sustainable development, innovation, and inclusion.

What needs or gaps in today’s educational offerings did you identify that made this programme relevant to develop?


– Over the years, as mentioned, we have been approached with requests for education in public procurement. We have also seen the need ourselves through our contacts with the business community and the public sector. This led to initiatives in the form of independent courses (which have been very successful). When Tom returned to Umeå University, it felt natural to revive the idea of an advanced-level programme that we had already developed in 2012. For various reasons, and because we were involved in other projects, the idea was put on hold, says Sofia.

The programme is based on current research and practical relevance. It is an impressive example of how the Umeå School of Business, Economics and Statistics takes responsibility for societal development and meets labour market needs with high-quality, research-based education. The fact that the university is now establishing itself as a national pioneer in public procurement is nothing short of fantastic and a testament to both academic foresight and strategic action.

What has been most challenging in the process of establishing an entirely new main field of study and programme, and how have you solved it?


– The process itself is rigorous, and for good reason. Establishing a main field of study and a programme has an impact on the organisation. Part of the process was to justify the establishment in a way that could be received by people outside the research group in public procurement. The fact that we have two successful independent courses with a socio-economic focus and could demonstrate competitiveness compared to the existing offerings in the procurement field (primarily law courses) has probably contributed to our proposal being well received. Also, we have established networks within and outside Umeå University where dialogues and research on public procurement are ongoing, Sofia and Tom continue.

What are you most proud of with this programme – and what do you hope students will take with them after graduation?


– According to the Swedish Competition Authority, Umeå University brings together teachers from Sweden’s strongest research environment in public procurement, and on a personal level, it is gratifying to be able to build on this and offer a degree programme in the subject. We hope thereby to strengthen Umeå University’s educational offering and do something that benefits the organisation. By (further) educating experts in public procurement, Umeå University can help ensure that the resources of procuring organisations are used more efficiently and sustainably, which in turn can lead to significant economic and societal gains. The knowledge gained from the programme can provide students with insights into how to develop procurement strategies for sustainable development and strengthen society’s preparedness.