Original Research

Problems affecting the operational procurement process: A study of the Zimbabwean public sector

Abel Dzuke, Micheline J.A. Naude
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management | Vol 11 | a255 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/jtscm.v11i0.255 | © 2017 Abel Dzuke, Micheline J.A. Naude | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 August 2016 | Published: 24 February 2017

About the author(s)

Abel Dzuke, School of Management, Information Technology and Governance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Micheline J.A. Naude, School of Management, Information Technology and Governance, University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Background: The public sector occupies a key role in the economy comprising the appropriation of state revenue to purchase goods and to render services productively, while ensuring the optimum utilisation of available funds and resources to benefit the inhabitants of the country. Problems in the Zimbabwean public procurement sector that detract from service delivery are key contemporary issues. This is evident from the numerous complaints of poor service delivery received by the public that can be attributed to public procurement.

Objective: The purpose of this article was to report on a study that investigated problems in the different stages of the operational procurement process in the Zimbabwean public sector that detract from service delivery, the extent of these problems and how the public procurement process can be improved to enhance service delivery.

Method: This descriptive and exploratory study followed a quantitative approach. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to all public entities in Zimbabwe. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results: The majority of the identified problems in the public procurement sector that detract from service delivery are found in the advertising, bid evaluation and contract stages.

Conclusion: As only a few studies on this topic have been conducted in Zimbabwe, the findings of this research add a significant perspective to the existing body of knowledge and can assist stakeholders with regard to how the public procurement process can be improved in order to enhance service delivery through public procurement process reform and restructuring.


Keywords

public procurement; public entities; Zimbabwean public sector

Metrics

Total abstract views: 5440
Total article views: 37540

 

Crossref Citations

1. Anniversary 2007–2017
Stephen Kruger, Noleen Pisa
Journal of Transport and Supply Chain Management  vol: 11  year: 2017  
doi: 10.4102/jtscm.v11i0.340