Constraints to Effective Implementation of E-Procurement in the Public Sector: A Survey of Selected Government Ministries in Kenya

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the challenges facing the implementation of e-procurement in public organizations in Kenya. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to examine the drivers of e-procurement in the Government of Kenya ministries; to evaluate the benefits accruing from the adoption of e-procurement in the Government ministries in Kenya; and to assess the constraints to effective implementation of e-procurement in the Government ministries in Kenya. Methods: A Cross sectional survey was undertaken due to the fact that we intended to describe the area of research and explain the collected data in order to investigate the differences and similarities with our frame of reference within a given period of time. The focus of the study was all Government ministries totaling to 31 as at December 2011. The study respondents were heads of Procurement Units from the selected ministries, who are also the secretaries of the Ministerial Tender Committees in the respective ministries. A representative sample of 16 ministries, representing about 51.6% of the whole population were selected at random, which is within the limits of the generally accepted statistical condition. A two- stage stratified random sampling technique was employed to select the ministries for the study. Primary data was collected from the various ministries with the aid of a semi-structured undisguised questionnaire with both open ended and closed questions. Data Analysis: For purposes of the current study, the data was analyzed by employing descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies and tables. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) was used as an aid in the analysis. The researcher prefers SPSS because of its ability to cover a wide range of the most common statistical and graphical data analysis. Computation of frequencies in tables, charts and bar graphs were used in data presentation. In addition, the researcher used standard deviations and mean scores to present information pertaining to the study objectives. The information was presented and discussed as per the objectives and research questions of the study. Findings and Discussions: The findings of the study do indicate that the following are the drivers of e-procurement in the Government of Kenya ministries:- (i) Technological drivers: - Secure transactions; Integration of web site to all business processes; and Adequate resources and appropriate supporting ICT infrastructure; and (ii) Managerial success factors: - Effective project implementation leadership supported by appropriate human resource capacity; forming alliances – with suppliers, technology providers, customers; Appropriate organizational structure; and Stakeholders support. The key constraints were: - budgetary support; the legal framework governing ICT in Kenya; and Government Policy on ICT. The other challenges are: - Human Resource capacity; required support; and Backing of the top executives of the ministries. Key w ords: e-Procurement; Public Sector; Resource Challenges; Technological challenges; Financial Resources; Human Resource capacity; Stakeholders support; Technology adoption; and Supporting Infrastructure; e-Procurement system; e-Procurement process; e-Procurement application