Buyer-supplier Relationship in Kenya’s Public Universities

Abstract

This study was carried out to establish the effect of buyer – supplier relationships and in Kenya‟s Public Universities. The study had two objectives, to establish the kind of relationship Kenya‟s Public Universities have with their suppliers and to assess the extent of their performance and to establish critical success factors for a strong buyer-supplier relationship. The research design involved a cross sectional survey of 22 Chattered Kenya‟s Public Universities. The Procurement Officers and Representatives of user departments in these twenty two public universities were the target sources of respondents of the researcher. Data was collected using a questionnaire that was administered through “drop and pick” method. Percentages and frequencies were used to analyze data. The findings are presented in tables. The study established that most Kenya‟s Public Universities have been in existence for more than thirty years. The study confirmed that Kenya‟s Public Universities had embraced the concept of buyer - supplier relationships as they had incorporated most buyer- supplier variables in their operations. It was also clear from the study that the buyer – supplier relationship variables of adversarial relationship, arm‟s length relationship, transactional relationship, closer tactical relationship, single sourced relationship, outsourcing relationship, partnership and co-destiny. The study has confirmed that buyer – supplier relationships are very significant in enhancing the performance of organizations. Kenya‟s Public Universities and other organizations should be advised to embrace the concept so that they can be able to reap the benefits of developing buyer – supplier relationships. By maintaining good relationships with their suppliers, Kenya‟s Public Universities ensure that they perform well; they also help the suppliers themselves to perform well and also achieve their goals. The researcher recommends further research on the same topic but in other organizations other than Kenya‟s Public Universities, both within the country and outside the country. This will help to establish whether the same effects will be found when the research is done on different organizations other than Kenya‟s Public Universities. This will assist in providing concrete facts upon which reliable conclusions can be made.