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Subcontracting and the incidence of change orders in procurement contracts

Author

Listed:
  • Hojin Jung
  • Georgia Kosmopoulou
  • Robert Press
  • Richard Sicotte

Abstract

In public procurement, most contracts are renegotiated ex post and involve subcontractors. We examine whether there is a causal link between subcontractor use and the incidence of change orders to amend the original scope of a project. Since subcontracting is likely related to unobserved project complexity, we use a novel IV, the predicted level of subcontracting from a method modeled after Christakis et al. (2010), to estimate the likelihood of renegotiation. The results establish that subcontractors are associated with an increased likelihood of change orders as well as a higher dollar amount renegotiated.

Suggested Citation

  • Hojin Jung & Georgia Kosmopoulou & Robert Press & Richard Sicotte, 2022. "Subcontracting and the incidence of change orders in procurement contracts," Economic Inquiry, Western Economic Association International, vol. 60(1), pages 247-264, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:ecinqu:v:60:y:2022:i:1:p:247-264
    DOI: 10.1111/ecin.13002
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. De Silva, Dakshina G. & Dunne, Timothy & Kosmopoulou, Georgia & Lamarche, Carlos, 2012. "Disadvantaged business enterprise goals in government procurement contracting: An analysis of bidding behavior and costs," International Journal of Industrial Organization, Elsevier, vol. 30(4), pages 377-388.
    2. Hojin Jung & Georgia Kosmopoulou & Carlos Lamarche & Richard Sicotte, 2019. "Strategic Bidding And Contract Renegotiation," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 60(2), pages 801-820, May.
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