Critical Success Factors In The Implementation Of E-Procurement In Public Entities In Kisumu County, Kenya

Abstract

There have been significant efforts in the public sector to improve public procurement processes in Kenya. These efforts have mainly focused in ensuring improved efficiency and saving of costs through public procurement system, by exploiting ICT to institute systems that facilitate the procurement process. E-procurement has come out as a popular system that has been adopted by organizations to achieve these objectives. A major concern is that despite the benefits of using e-procurement in public entities, its implementation has been largely slow. The study was geared to establish the critical success factors in implementation of e-procurement in public entities in Kisumu County. The study assumed a descriptive research design. The target population was composed of procurement professionals in public entities in Kisumu County. The study found that staff training on e-procurement tools, allocation of adequate resources on e-procurement, top management support towards e-procurement implementation, early supplier involvement during e-procurement implementation and reliable in internet service provider were critical when rolling out the e-procurement system in public entities. The study identified the factors that act as prerequisites to implementation of e-procurement; change management programs for users on e-procurement, supplier involvement and availability of a reliable internet service provider. The study recommended that staff training on e procurement should be given much more emphasis and e-procurement be given priority during planning and budgeting process. Top management to commit to support and ensure a seamless implementation of e-procurement. Change management programs to be handled in an all-inclusive manner for users to buy in on the benefits of e-procurement