Innovation Public Procurement: Legal Frameworks, Contractual Innovations and International Comparative Experiences
María Cobo Suárez
Professor at Universidad Andina Simón Bolívar (UASB-Ecuador), Ecuador
Innovation Public Procurement (IPP) has become a pivotal demand-side policy instrument, enabling governments to leverage public purchasing power to stimulate innovation, enhance public services, and address societal challenges. This paper examines the conceptual foundations that differentiate IPP from traditional procurement models, emphasizing its legal, institutional, and contractual complexities. The analysis explores how IPP reconfigures the relationship between the public sector and suppliers through functional specifications, shared risks, and co-development models. Furthermore, the study provides a comparative analysis of international best practices, drawing insights from the United Kingdom, Spain, the Netherlands, China, and the United States. Through this comparative lens, the paper underscores that IPP not only fosters technological advancement but also serves as a strategic tool for sustainable development, inclusive growth, and market shaping. The findings highlight the need for flexible legal frameworks, capacity building, and political commitment to fully realize IPP’s transformative potential.
Keywords: Innovation Public Procurement; Contractual Innovations; International Comparative Experiences
