Can Electronic Procurement Improve Infrastructure Provision? Evidence from Public Works in India and Indonesia

A-Tier
Journal: American Economic Journal: Economic Policy
Year: 2016
Volume: 8
Issue: 3
Pages: 258-83

Authors (4)

Sean Lewis-Faupel (not in RePEc) Yusuf Neggers (not in RePEc) Benjamin A. Olken (Massachusetts Institute of Tec...) Rohini Pande (not in RePEc)

Score contribution per author:

1.005 = (α=2.01 / 4 authors) × 2.0x A-tier

α: calibrated so average coauthorship-adjusted count equals average raw count

Abstract

This paper examines whether electronic procurement (e-procurement), which increases access to information and reduces personal interactions with potentially corrupt officials, improves procurement outcomes. We develop unique datasets from India and Indonesia and use variation in adoption of e-procurement within both countries. We find no evidence of reduced prices but do find that e-procurement leads to quality improvements. In India, where we observe quality directly, e-procurement improves road quality, and in Indonesia, e-procurement reduces delays. Regions with e-procurement are more likely to have winners come from outside the region. On net, the results suggest that e-procurement facilitates entry from higher quality contractors.

Technical Details

RePEc Handle
repec:aea:aejpol:v:8:y:2016:i:3:p:258-83
Journal Field
General
Author Count
4
Added to Database
2026-01-26