Investigating into the barriers of e-procurement at the Volta River Authority (VRA)
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Date
2021-07-09
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Abstract
Public procurement represents one of the main components in many public organisations. Numerous researches indicate that the old ways of implementing procurement is constituted by a lot of ineffectiveness. Hence the introduction of e-procurement was intended to curb these inefficiencies. Unfortunately, e-procurement is liable to a number of challenges with hinder the smooth operation of the system. This study was conducted to investigate these barriers to e-procurement at the Volta River Authority (VRA). The objectives of the study were, to identify the status of e-procurement in terms of its implementation in Volta River Authority (V.R.A.), to identify the challenges faced with the implementation of e-procurement in Volta River Authority (V.R.A.) and to identify possible solutions to the named barriers of e-procurement in the Volta River Authority (V.R.A.). Quantitative method of collecting data was used in collecting data. Data Collected was analysed using descriptive statistics which included percentages, frequencies and mean aided by Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). SPSS is an analytical too that was used in analysing the information collated. Essential results of the research established that e-procurement has a number of barriers that hinder its smooth implementation. The research revealed that factors such as poor internet connectivity, managerial interference and unskilled personnel were major challenges that affect the usage of e-procurement. The study further goes on to suggest possible solutions to these identified barriers to e-procurement at VRA. Some of these are, training procurement staff on the use of the system, improving the quality of internet connectivity and as much as possible, eliminating managerial interference from the procurement process. The research suggests that government support is very essential for the success of the system. Resources are also needed both in the technological and software aspect of procurement for training and equipping staff. The research findings suggests that constant education combined with workshops for procurement officers who find themselves involved in procurement helps to improve their skillset.
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A thesis submitted to the Department of Construction Technology and management, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Award Degree of Masters in Procurement Management.
Keywords
Barriers, E-procurement, Volta River Authority