Political Capture in Local Government Goods and Services Procurement: A Phenomenological Review

Abstract

This research delves into the impact of political capture as a principal factor driving fraudulent practices within local government procurement processes. Adopting case studies, the study investigates the subjective experiences of procurement procurement stakeholders, such as local officials, DPRD members, and contractors to gain insight into how political pressures shape decision-making within procurement. The results reveal that political influence manifests through various mechanisms, including pressure during planning phases, control over information, policy flexibility, and allegiance to leadership figures. Under such circumstances, principles of transparency and accountability are often reduced to procedural formalities, diminishing their intended impact. Officials justify their actions as expressions of loyalty, navigating rule-based loopholes to give an outward impression of compliance while simultaneously satisfying political expectations. This prevailing political influence not only redirects procurement priorities away from public interest but also embeds deviant practices into organizational culture. This study establishes that political capture erodes public sector accountability by institutionalizing fraudulent practices.