Research Topic: Exploring the Barriers and Opportunities for Indigenous Businesses in Public Procurement Processes

Research Question: What are the barriers and opportunities faced by Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes, and how can procurement policies and practices be improved to support the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses in the procurement process?

Scope: The research will focus on understanding the challenges faced by Indigenous businesses in participating in public procurement processes, as well as the opportunities that exist for increasing their inclusion and participation. It will examine the policies and practices that impact Indigenous businesses in the procurement process, as well as the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous businesses and procurement officers.

Objective: The objective of the research is to identify the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes and to provide recommendations for improving procurement policies and practices to support their inclusion and participation. The study aims to provide insights into the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous businesses and procurement officers, as well as the policies and practices that impact Indigenous businesses in the procurement process.

Methodology: The research will employ a mixed-methods approach. First, a literature review will be conducted to identify best practices for supporting the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes. Second, a survey will be distributed to Indigenous businesses and procurement officers to gather quantitative data on their experiences and perspectives. Finally, qualitative data will be collected through in-depth interviews with key stakeholders, including Indigenous business owners, procurement officers, and representatives from Indigenous organizations, to gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes.

Expected Results: The research is expected to provide insights into the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes. The study will identify best practices for improving procurement policies and practices to support the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses, as well as the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous businesses and procurement officers. The research will also provide recommendations for improving the implementation of procurement policies and practices to maximize their impact.

Methodology:

Literature Review: A literature review will be conducted to identify best practices for supporting the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes. The review will cover academic and grey literature, as well as government reports and policy documents related to public procurement and Indigenous economic development. The literature review will identify gaps in the existing research and provide a foundation for the survey and interview questions.

Survey: A survey will be distributed to Indigenous businesses and procurement officers to gather quantitative data on their experiences and perspectives. The survey questions will be designed to identify the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes, as well as the policies and practices that impact their participation. The survey will be distributed online, and the sample will be drawn from Indigenous businesses and procurement officers across multiple jurisdictions.

Interviews: In-depth interviews will be conducted with key stakeholders, including Indigenous business owners, procurement officers, and representatives from Indigenous organizations, to gain a deeper understanding of the issues faced by Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes. The interviews will be conducted using a semi-structured approach, and will focus on identifying best practices and opportunities for improving procurement policies and practices to support the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses.

Data Analysis: The survey and interview data will be analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The survey data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics to identify patterns and trends in the responses. The interview data will be analyzed using content analysis to identify key themes and patterns in the responses.

Recommendations: Based on the findings from the literature review, survey, and interviews, the study will develop recommendations for improving procurement policies and practices to support the inclusion and participation of Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes. The recommendations will be informed by the best practices identified in the literature, as well as the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous businesses and procurement officers.

Dissemination: The findings and recommendations from the study will be disseminated through academic and policy-oriented publications, as well as presentations at conferences and workshops. The study will target a broad audience, including Indigenous businesses, government agencies, procurement officers, and researchers interested in Indigenous economic development and public procurement.

Conclusion:

This research will provide a comprehensive understanding of the barriers and opportunities for Indigenous businesses in public procurement processes, as well as the policies and practices that impact their inclusion and participation. By identifying best practices for supporting Indigenous businesses in the procurement process, the study will contribute to the development of more effective and equitable procurement policies and practices. The study will also provide insights into the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous businesses and procurement officers, which can help to build more productive and collaborative relationships between Indigenous businesses and government procurement agencies.