Transparency and Monitoring of Public Procurement Contract Performance

Abstract

This study analyzes the monitoring of public procurement contracts’ performance in six countries under EU public procurement rules: Finland, Portugal, Slovenia, Italy, Hungary, and Serbia. Through an in-depth comparative analysis, we explore the nexus between perceived corruption in these countries and the contract performance monitoring systems established or in the making. The analysis centers on four key aspects: the organizational framework, the redress system, the IT infrastructure, and the level of data publicity in each country’s procurement landscape. Expert evaluations conducted by national specialists unveil which countries pay less attention to public contract performance monitoring and transparency. Our findings indicate that countries facing higher corruption rates tend to place greater emphasis on transparency and contract performance monitoring. Moreover, countries greatly differ in their organizational setup, objectives, and monitoring tools, including IT adoption. The insights derived from this study can influence policy and reform efforts focused on the contract phase of public procurement, leading to a more accountable and efficient procurement landscape across Europe.