Journal of Iranian Public Administration Studies

Journal of Iranian Public Administration Studies

Identifying Corruption Bottlenecks in Government Procurement Based on the Three-Component Model (3C)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Vahid Yavari 1
Alireza Ebadi 2
Ehsan Tavakkoli 3
Farzad Mokhles ol-Aimme 4
1 Assistant Professor, Department of Public Administration, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
2 PhD Student’s in Organizational Behavior & Human Resource Management, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran
3 Master of Public Administration, Faculty of Islamic Studies and Management, Imam Sadiq University, Tehran, Iran.
4 PhD in Futures Studies Management, Supreme National Defense University, Tehran, Iran.
10.22034/jipas.2025.502546.1766
Abstract
Corruption in public procurement constitutes one of the most critical challenges to economic governance, producing detrimental effects on the efficiency of resource allocation, social justice, and public trust. Given the substantial share of public procurement in Iran’s economy and the institutional complexities of this domain, identifying the roots and critical points of corruption is of strategic importance. The primary objective of this study is to identify and explain the main corruption bottlenecks in Iran’s government procurement process using the Three-Component (3C) Model. By simultaneously focusing on three dimensions-structure (institutional and non-human factors), behavior (human factors), and context (environmental and extra-organizational conditions)—this model provides a comprehensive framework for analyzing corruption. This study seeks to demonstrate that corruption in public procurement is not merely the result of individual misconduct, but rather emerges from the complex interaction of multilevel factors.
Methodology:
This study was conducted using a qualitative approach with an exploratory and applied orientation within the interpretive research paradigm. The primary research strategy was thematic analysis. Data were collected through documentary studies and 11 semi-structured interviews with experts in the field of corruption in public procurement. The participants included senior managers and inspectors from oversight institutions, auditors from the Supreme Audit Court, executive experts, and university faculty members with research experience in corruption studies. Following transcription, the interviews were analyzed through multiple stages of open coding. In total, 193 key statements were extracted and reduced to 293 basic themes, which were ultimately condensed into 20 organizing themes conceptualized as corruption bottlenecks. The analysis process continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. To enhance the credibility and reliability of the findings, techniques such as constant comparison, member checking, peer review, and the application of Lincoln and Guba’s trustworthiness criteria were employed.
Findings:
The findings indicate that corruption in government procurement is a systemic, multilayered, and self-reinforcing phenomenon that concentrates at specific points within the procurement process. At the structural level, bottlenecks such as ineffective and ambiguous regulations, regulatory conflicts and overlaps, legal gaps, weak ex ante and ex post oversight, lack of information transparency, and the absence of fully developed e-government infrastructure were identified. These factors enable discretionary decision-making, concealment, and circumvention of rules. At the behavioral level, key factors include unethical or inadequately skilled human resources, the absence of merit-based systems, opportunistic motivations, bribery, organized collusion, and abuse of legally granted authority. At the contextual level, factors such as conflicts of interest, various forms of rent (informational, administrative, and legal), state monopolies, influence by powerful actors, fragmentation of major contracts, and the creation of informal safe zones for offenders contribute to the persistence of corruption. The results show that these bottlenecks do not operate independently; rather, their interaction forms interconnected networks of corruption.
Conclusion:
The results underscore the necessity of adopting a holistic and multilevel approach to combating corruption in public procurement. Effective control of corruption is not possible without simultaneous reform of legal and oversight structures, improvement in the quality and integrity of human resources, and modification of institutional and contextual conditions. From a practical perspective, policymakers should focus on enhancing transparency throughout the procurement cycle, developing integrated e-government systems, strengthening the enforcement of laws, managing conflicts of interest, reducing unchecked discretionary power, and institutionalizing merit-based systems. In addition, strengthening independent and accountable oversight institutions, encouraging the participation of media and civil society, and utilizing smart technologies can play an effective role in reducing corruption bottlenecks. By presenting a comprehensive framework based on the Three-Component (3C) Model, this study provides a foundation for institutional reform and the design of anti-corruption policies in public procurement.
Keywords
Root Causes of Corruption
Corruption Bottlenecks
Government Procurement
Public Tenders
Public Procurement
Three-Component Model (3C)
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  • Receive Date 06 February 2025
  • Revise Date 19 May 2025
  • Accept Date 25 May 2025