And how does this happen in the context of the modernization of the regulatory framework?
*By Prof. Dr. José Luiz Esteves
The advancement of digital transformation has brought about significant changes in management practices in public administration, especially in the area of public procurement. The modernization of public procurement has been driven by need greater efficiency, transparency and accountability.
However, traditional governance structures often prove inadequate to deal with the demands of the digital age: One of the main challenges is resistance to change within public institutions, which often operate on the basis of rigid and inflexible bureaucratic procedures.
Governance and Bureaucracy: Bureaucracy, as a traditional mechanism of control and regulation within public administration, often conflicts with the need for agility and innovation provided by digital transformation. Rigid processes and a culture of risk aversion can slow the adoption of new technologies that could bring significant improvements to public procurement processes. For example, the implementation of e-procurement systems often faces resistance due to unfamiliarity with new digital tools and the perceived risk associated with changing traditional systems.
Training and Competence: Another challenge lies in the training of public servants: Digital transformation requires a well-trained technical staff familiar with new technologies and methodologies. management. A lack of digital competence within teams responsible for public procurement can lead to failures in the implementation of digital systems, resulting in inefficiencies and even risks to the integrity of the procurement process.
Legislation and Adaptation: Current legislation does not always keep pace with technological changes, creating gaps and uncertainties in the application of new digital tools in public procurement. The modernization of the regulatory framework, as observed with the enactment of the new Law on Public Procurement and Administrative Contracts (Law No. 14,133/2021), It seeks to align legislation with current reality, providing a more solid basis for the incorporation of digital technologies that promote efficiency and transparency.
E-Procurement and Transparency: E-procurement, or electronic purchasing, represents a significant advance in digitalizing the entire process of acquiring goods and services. This tool not only reduces the time and cost involved in public procurement, but also increases transparency by allowing processes to be monitored in real time by auditors and the public: Platforms such as Comprasnet in Brazil, they are examples of how technology can be used to centralize information and increase the competitiveness and transparency of bidding processes.
Automation and Artificial Intelligence: Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) have the potential to further transform public procurement. Process automation, through Robotic Process Automation (RPA), for example, can take on repetitive tasks, allowing public servants to focus on higher value-added activities.
Despite the benefits, implementing new technologies also brings significant challenges. Information security issues, such as protection against cyberattacks, are critical to ensuring the integrity of public procurement systems.
Strengthening Compliance and Good Practices in Accountability: With the increasing complexity of public procurement processes due to digitalization, there is a need to strengthen compliance and accountability practices to ensure the integrity and effectiveness of these processes. Compliance involves the adoption of standards and procedures that ensure that public administration actions are in compliance with laws, regulations and ethical principles.
Transparency and Access to Information: Strengthening transparency is one of the pillars of compliance in public procurement. Digitalization facilitates the implementation of systems that allow public access to detailed information on bidding processes, contracts and budget execution. The Access to Information Act (Law No. 12,527/2011) is a fundamental tool in this context.
Audit and Internal Control: The implementation of digital technologies must also be accompanied by a robust internal audit and control system. Tools such as blockchain have been explored to ensure the traceability of transactions and the inviolability of records, reducing the possibility of fraud and increasing confidence in the public procurement system. Regular and independent audits are essential to ensure that procedures are followed in accordance with established standards.
Compliance Training and Culture: Strengthening compliance also requires creating an organizational culture that values integrity and accountability. This can be achieved through training programs that educate public servants on the importance of compliance and good governance practices. Creating reporting channels and protecting whistleblowers are additional measures that can contribute to a more ethical and transparent environment.
Accountability and Responsibility: Finally, accountability is a key element of compliance, ensuring that public managers are accountable for their decisions and actions. Digital transformation offers new tools to improve accountability, allowing citizens to monitor the management of public resources in a more active and informed way. This active transparency strengthens democracy and increases society’s trust in public institutions.
The modernization of the regulatory framework, accompanied by technological advances, offers the opportunity to significantly improve efficiency, transparency and accountability in public management processes. However, the success of this transformation depends on adequate governance, ongoing training of public servants and strengthening of compliance, ensuring that technological innovations are used ethically and effectively.
*Prof. Dr. José Luiz Esteves, DBA is a Researcher at Think Tank ABES, with a post-doctorate in Innovation for Organizational Sustainability/ESG (PPAD/PUCPR 2022) and a PhD in Business Administration.
Notice: The opinion expressed in this article is the responsibility of its authors and not of ABES – Brazilian Association of Software Companies
Article originally published on the IT Forum website https://itforum.com.br/colunas/transformacao-digital-compras-publicas/
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