Force account has emerged to be an important procurement method in public procurement due to its potentials towards improving efficiency and cost reduction. As a result, the Government of Tanzania ...directed force account to be given precedence in the procurement of renovations, repairs, rehabilitation and remodeling works. Despite the potentials and initiatives undertaken, still there is a dilemma on whether most of the stakeholders understand clearly the concept, procedures and practices associated with force account. In response to the observed ambiguities, the study aimed to examine the existing guidelines on force account and practices and thereafter identify challenges experienced in the implementation of force account. The study was guided by cross-sectional surveys design whereby data was collected using key informant interviews, focus group discussions and documentary review. Thereafter, data was analysed using a constant comparative approach through the coding process used for categorising and comparing qualitative data. Findings indicated that the poor performance was attributed by the absence of a standardised force account guideline applicable throughout the country by the respective procuring entities. Also, the legal provisions on force account are insufficient for the sake of enforcing best practices. Therefore, regulatory authorities should ensure that the newly introduced force account guidelines are enforced accordingly so as to improve effectiveness and efficiency. Furthermore, there is a need for continued rigorous training on force account undertakings among stakeholders involved in order to continue improving practices and performance.
AbstractCurrently, there is a growing focus on procurement skills as one of the key variables in explaining crucial outcomes in public procurement. Despite such observations, the relationship between ...procurement skills and cross-functional coordination is not well articulated to concretize the claimed causal relationship. This study examined the influence of procurement skills on cross-functional coordination in public procuring entities in Tanzania. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 177 heads of departments found in 11 selected local government authorities in Tanzania. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that procurement skills in terms of strategic analytical skills, technical tactical skills, as well as interpersonal skills are positive and significant determinants of cross-functional coordination. The findings imply that procurement skills are critical in influencing cross-functional coordination in the procurement process among public entities. This study serves as a wake-up call for procurement managers to improve and update the skills of their staff, particularly procurement professionals. Also, this study fills a gap in the literature that emphasizes internal coordination in procuring entities by contributing to the understanding of the significance of procurement skills in the coordination approach for a more integrated public procurement process.
The current study examines the relationship between interpersonal skills and user satisfaction that is mediated by the effect of cross-functional coordination. Data was collected by using a ...structured questionnaire administered to 177 heads of user departments in the selected Local Government Authorities in Tanzania. The results from Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling unveiled that interpersonal skills and user satisfaction are positively and significantly related (p < 0.001). Also, interpersonal skills positively and significantly affect cross-functional coordination and cross-functional coordination relates positively and significantly to user satisfaction. On the other hand, cross-functional partially mediates the relationship between interpersonal skills and user satisfaction (p < 0.001). Based on these findings, the study suggests that public procurement professionals require training to improve their interpersonal skills, foster cross-functional coordination and enhance satisfaction of user departments. Likewise, the coordination efforts between departments within a procuring entity are necessary for explaining the link between professional skills and satisfaction of user departments. Thus, the study emphasizes the joint agreements in procurement decisions among departments to enhance proper coordination and achieve organizational objectives.
•Data was collected from 177 heads of user departments in the selected Local Government Authorities in Tanzania.•The results unveiled that interpersonal skills and user satisfaction are positively and significantly related.•Interpersonal skills positively and significantly affect cross-functional coordination.•Cross-functional coordination mediates the relationship between interpersonal skills and user satisfaction.
This paper investigates the relationship between supplier development and procurement performance in the public sector. Furthermore, the paper examines the moderating role of contract management ...difficulty on the relationship between supplier development and procurement performance. Using cross-sectional data collected from 179 public procuring entities, the main findings of the study are two-fold. Firstly, the relationship between supplier development and procurement performance in public sector is positive and significant (Ø = 0.2343 and p = 0.0014). Also, contract management difficulty negatively and significantly moderates the relationship between supplier development and procurement performance (Ø = −0.1447 and p = 0.0190). In this aspect, the influence of supplier development on procurement performance is negatively affected by contract management difficulties. The study contributes to the supplier management, procurement performance, and contract management literature by providing empirical evidence on the role of supplier development on procurement performance in developing countries like Tanzania. Also, the conditional effects of contract management difficulty on the relationship between supplier development and procurement performance matter. The study's findings have important implications for procurement practitioners in the public sector and policy makers.
This article synthesizes current insights into supplier management practices that professional buyers can apply in the public procurement context. Specifically, it discusses the practices, rationale, ...and challenges associated with implementing supplier development as an important activity within supplier management practices. Drawing from the literature, the main arguments are on the applicability of indirect supplier development practices in the public procurement context. Therefore, it is concluded that public buyers can consider applying these practices in public organizations. However, caution should be exercised regarding the legal and regulatory structure that governs the country’s public procurement system. It further recommends empirical studies to be done on supplier development practices for local suppliers in specific public procurement projects.
A critical necessity for effective competitive selection is that the procurement process must be clear and visible to all stakeholders. This transparency is crucial as it fosters confidence among ...potential bidders across different levels, ultimately enhancing procurement performance. This research aimed to assess how transparency impacts the procurement performance of local government institutions. The study utilized a case study design and employed purposive and simple random sampling methods to select 80 respondents from Moyo District Local Government (MDLG). Qualitative data was analyzed through content analysis, while quantitative data was assessed using descriptive statistics and a multiple regression model. Findings indicated that publication of procurement plan and budget was significant to at β=0.258, P<0.05. Access to key procurement information was significant at β=0.193, p<0.05. Open communication was also significant at β=0.169, p<0.05. The study concluded that ensuring transparency while conducting procurement processes improves performance in terms of cost optimization and purchase of quality products which are delivered on time. The study recommended MDLG to provide timely and sufficient information to the public and other stakeholders most especially about upcoming contracts and status of ongoing procurement processes through publication on public notice boards and online government procurement portals for easy accessibility.
Purpose This study aims to examine the role of supplier selection and supplier monitoring in public procurement efficiency in terms of cost reduction in Tanzania. Design/methodology/approach A ...structured questionnaire was used to collect cross-sectional survey data from 179 public procuring entities in Tanzania. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was used to analyse the collected data. Findings The findings revealed that supplier selection and supplier monitoring are positive and significant predictors of public procurement efficiency in terms of cost reduction. Research limitations/implications This study was conducted in Tanzanian public procurement contexts, so generalisations should be made with caution. Also, this study collected cross-sectional data; other studies may consider longitudinal data. Practical implications This study provides procurement practitioners with insights into selecting the proper suppliers and embracing supplier monitoring to achieve procurement efficiency in terms of cost reduction. Originality/value This study examines the effects of supplier selection and supplier monitoring on procurement cost reduction as a measure of public procurement efficiency in the Tanzanian context. Consequently, it provides empirical evidence of supplier management practices in the public procurement context.
AbstractOver decades, public procurement in Tanzania experienced critical reforms; however, not much is known about the reforms and hence there is a dearth of comprehensive reviews about them. The ...current study reviews existing literature relating to public procurement reforms, practices, and compliance in Tanzania. By employing a systematic literature review, the study draws upon 65 publications from Scopus and Google Scholar databases. Findings unveil that the implementation of public procurement laws and regulations has significantly improved transparency, accountability, and fairness in public procurement undertakings. The foundation for a well-organized institutional framework that emphasizes decentralization, standardization, and governance over public procurement has also been established by these reforms. Despite these positive contributions, certain reforms have introduced challenges due to interference and uncoordinated efforts that hamper public procurement activities. The study exclusively focuses on journal articles from Scopus and Google Scholar, excluding other publication forms like book reviews and conference proceedings. While acknowledging this limitation, the article serves as the pioneering systematic review profiling public procurement reforms in Tanzania, shedding light on professional dilemmas and compliance issues. Given the limited literature on the subject, this study enriches the existing knowledge and offers valuable insights for scholars, procurement practitioners, public entities, and stakeholders.
Purpose
This study aims to examine the effect of supplier monitoring on procurement performance in the Tanzanian public sector, as well as how contract management difficulty moderates the effect of ...supplier monitoring on procurement performance.
Design/methodology/approach
In this paper cross-sectional data were collected from 179 Tanzanian public procuring organizations using a structured survey questionnaire. Confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and the PROCESS macro were used to analyse the collected data.
Findings
Supplier monitoring has a positive and significant relationship with procurement performance in terms of cost reduction, lead times and buyer satisfaction. Furthermore, contract management difficulty has a negative moderating effect on the relationships between supplier monitoring and procurement performance dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
Because public procurement is governed by laws and procedures, generalization of results should be done with caution. This is because the study is currently limited to Tanzanian public procurement. Apart from contract management difficulty, future research can look at other factors that may be needed to moderate the link between supplier monitoring and procurement performance.
Practical implications
Procurement practitioners must monitor major suppliers’ timeliness, product quality and order accuracy in order to improve procurement performance. Furthermore, proper contract management is required, which necessitates effectively reinforcing procurement contract managers’ responsibilities and providing contract management training for practitioners in order to control anomalies when suppliers and contracts are involved.
Originality/value
By adding a moderating variable, the study adds to the literature on supplier monitoring in public procurement and the on-going debate on supplier monitoring and performance.
PurposeDespite the fact that students in higher education contributes significantly to the number of professionals, little has been done to incorporate the students’ perspectives on the status of ...procurement and supply professions in Tanzania. This study examined the challenges confronting the procurement and supply professions from the perspective of future procurement professionals enrolled in Tanzanian higher education.Design/methodology/approachA cross-sectional design was used to collect data from undergraduate students majoring in procurement and supply chain management in Tanzanian higher education using a structured questionnaire.FindingsThe findings revealed that the challenges affecting the procurement and supply professions were buyer- and supplier-related challenges as perceived by Tanzanian higher education students.Research limitations/implicationsThe study's findings should be generalized with caution because the findings represent the perspectives of Tanzanian procurement and supply undergraduate business students. Furthermore, the included sample of procurement and supply undergraduates cannot represent all students' perceptions; thus, other studies may broaden the sample by including the opinions of other higher education students.Originality/valueThis is the first study that looks at how students in higher education institutions, who are considered future procurement and supply professionals, perceive the challenges of the procurement and supply professions in Tanzania.
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