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Procrastination over Prudence: The ‘Customary’ Way in Public Procurement

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This case describes a delay in the procurement of crawler dozers, a type of heavy earth-moving machinery, by a public sector undertaking of the Government of India in the mining sector. The chronology of events over 6 years highlights the underlying factors, including procrastination in initiating the procurement process, the time taken to prepare technical specifications, complaints from bidders and multiple-tiered queries. The most important learning outcome is that while arbitrary decisions are discouraged in any procurement, procrastination in decision-making should be equally discouraged. The case underlines the necessity of extensive, all-embracing standard operating procedures or definite guidelines.

Source: Vikalpa The Journal for Decision Makers

DOI: 10.1177/02560909251414500

Authors: Abhijit Majumder, Piyali Ghosh

Institutions: Coal India (India), Indian Institute of Management Ranchi

Language: English

Topic: Public Procurement and Policy

Subfield: Strategy and Management

Field: Business, Management and Accounting

Domain: Social Sciences

SDG: Peace, justice, and strong institutions

Open Access status: diamond

OpenAlex ID: W7129058387

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