Thesis:

Influence Of Electronic Procurement Processes Onperformance Of Uasin Gishu County Government, Kenya

As technology advances, organizations worldwide are increasingly adopting eprocurement to enhance their operational efficiencies and achieve strategic goals. However, integrating e-procurement into county government operations poses significant challenges due to bureaucratic constraints and limited technological infrastructure. Although the advantages of e-procurement—such as reduced costs, improved data exchange, and streamlined v processes—are well-documented, governmental entities often struggle to realize these benefits fully. This study investigated the influence of eprocurement on organizational performance in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya, against a backdrop of growing recognition of web-based procurement and information communication technology (ICT) as tools for enhancing supply chain value. Prior studies indicate that e-procurement can reduce processing time, lower costs, improve data accuracy, and increase efficiency. However, existing literature has notable gaps, particularly concerning the impact of e-procurement in a devolved government setting. This research addressed these gaps by exploring how various dimensions of eprocurement affect performance in Uasin Gishu County, with a specific focus on electronic sourcing, ordering, tendering, and payment. The study was grounded in theoretical frameworks such as the Disruptive Innovation Theory, Diffusion of Innovation Theory, and the Technology Acceptance Model, all of which help explain how electronic procurement practices might influence the performance of procurement units. A concurrent parallel mixed-methods design allowed for a comprehensive analysis of the research variables. The target population included 96 supply chain officers, user department heads, and accounting officers in Uasin Gishu County Government, and a census sampling method was applied due to the small population size. Data were collected through questionnaires and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency distributions, means, and standard deviations. Findings were presented in tables and figures for clarity. The study’s first objective examined electronic sourcing, which had a significant positive effect on performance (p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 0.931, highlighting performance improvements with greater e-sourcing adoption. The second objective assessed electronic ordering, which also demonstrated a positive impact (p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 0.891, enhancing order efficiency and management. The third objective, electronic tendering, showed a positive influence (p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 0.913, supporting its role in promoting transparency and procurement effectiveness. Finally, the fourth objective evaluated electronic payment, which had a positive relationship (p < 0.05) with a coefficient of 0.874, indicating benefits in terms of cost savings and productivity. Each of these e-procurement practices significantly improved procurement performance, underscoring the value of digital solutions for boosting efficiency and reducing costs in government settings. The study recommends that Uasin Gishu County enhance its accounting, recording, and reporting processes by adopting suitable invoicing systems. An automated procurement process covering requisitioning, tendering, contract awarding, and payment should be implemented. Additionally, the county government should improve public service delivery by providing timely, transparent, and accurate financial data at both national and county levels. Implementing electronic ordering methods, especially for purchase order processing, would further support the county’s procurement goals.