Automated procurement systems on performance of service industry in Kenya- a case of Kenya Airways.

Abstract

The research aimed at analyzing the effects of automated procurement systems in the service sector in Kenya in reference of Kenya airways. The study recognizes the importance of effective procurement performance in enhancing operational efficiency and service quality in service based institutions. By use of a systematic and comprehensive automated procurement system, the research aimed to provide valuable insights into improving procurement performance in the service sector in Kenya. Specifically, the study sought to establish the effect of automated procurement systems on procurement performance of Kenya Airways. The study adopted a descriptive research design. The target population of the study was 80 staff working in the Supply Chain department of Kenya Airways at its headquarters in Embakasi, Nairobi County. The research utilized primary data, that was gathered from the self-administered questionnaires. During data analysis, the research info was assessed via descriptive statistics utilizing the SPSS version 28.0 (statistical Package for Social Science ) as well as being presented via standard deviation, mean, frequencies as and percentages. Furthermore a linear regression assessment was utilized towards analyzing the relation between the variables of the research. The results revealed that the study respondents agreed that use of bar coding systems helped to ease inventory retrieval process, e-auctioning transactions disregarded discrimination as well as prejudice in the selecting the suppliers; desktop purchasing improved the level of competitive bidding and e-catalogue services improved supplier/customer relationships and communication. Thus, the study concluded that automated coding systems, e-auctioning transactions, desktop purchasing and e-catalogue services as e-procurement practices that played a significant role in enhancing procurement performance of Kenya Airways. The study recommended that Kenya Airways, and other all other parastatals and government departments by extension, should adopt a holistic approach in reforming their procurement processes that will not only be limited to automation of various procurement aspects but also building the capacity of their staff and suppliers on how to work on various e-procurement platforms.Therefore, the study concludes that automated coding systems, electronic auction transactions, computerized purchasing services and electronic catalogs are e-procurement activities that have played an important role in improve Kenya Airways’ supply chain performance.