This book investigates the integration of social procurement strategies within the framework of new public governance to address complex societal challenges. The authors, Jo Barraket and Robyn Keast, utilize their extensive academic backgrounds in public management and social enterprise to analyze how government purchasing power can be leveraged for social good. They argue that traditional procurement models are insufficient for modern governance, proposing instead a collaborative approach that aligns public spending with broader social and economic policy objectives.

Experts recognize this work as a significant contribution to the literature on public sector innovation and social enterprise integration. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a foundational text for students and practitioners of public policy.