The effectiveness of e-procurement in public procurement systems in Zimbabwe: The case of State Procurement Board (period 2011 Feb 2013)

Abstract

The aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of fully adopting e-procurement at State Procurement Board (SPB) from 2011 to 2013. This study adopted a survey approach where questionnaires were administered to both staff and management of SPB and customers. The researcher adopted a triangulation approach where both quantitative and qualitative research philosophies were used to undertake this research. The study found and concludes that technical issues to support e-procurement program at SPB are not adequate. Electronic procurement systems in essence mirror the procurement process through the provision of two distinct, but connected infrastructures. The research concluded that the introduction of e-procurement will enable SPB to realize faster and more efficient operational procurement processes. It was also concluded that there is much opportunity for organisations to enter into health business relationships with relevant stakeholders through use of e-procurement.SPB is recommended to continuously scan the external environment since it has an impact on the e-procurement strategy. SPB is encouraged to train its low level staff, management and other departments especially Information Technology(IT) in new technologies. The Board should have sufficient financial and resource backing and adequate budget allocations to ensure all requirements are met. A further study to establish the impact of e-governance on the adoption and efficiency of e-procurement is recommended.