A dissertation submitted to Mzumbe University in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of Master of Science in Procurement and Supply Chain Management (MSc. PSCM) of Mzumbe University
The main objective of this study was to assess e-procurement implementation in government authorities at MWAUWASA. The study focussed specifically on assessing the skills to facilitate e-procurement, identifying and examining the management supports to employees on e-procurement application and finding out the electronic tools used in procurement process.
The researcher adopted this design because it focused on specific unit of analysis that is MWAUWASA, and also uses variety method in data collection such observation and interview. A sample of thirteen respondents was used. The selected sample comprised respondents from Procurement Management Unit, members of Tender board, engineers (IT), Administration, and User department. Non probability sampling which is purposive sample used to select the sample because the researcher involved in studying the people who could provide information needed to address the objectives.
The study revealed that MWAUWASA provides management supports to her employees on the use and implementation of e-procurement. The training made through seminars, workshop and short courses and on job training showed that the authority has ready for e-procurement implementation though its pace is slow. The tools available to the authority are an indicator of e-procurement presence. The available tools are not used at equal weight where only computer are the most used tool by the authority. The use of electronic tools is encouraging although most of its activities are used in keeping records. It was further revealed that e-procurement activities at MWAUWASA are almost encouraging although there are some failures in its implementation due to costs associated in it. This also exposed that knowledge possessed by procurement staff is good, although the level of implementing e-procurement is not fully utilized.
The study recommended that MWAUWASA should have trained procurement practitioners with skills for operating the available existing knowledge. The authority should have both system software and application software which are customized for procurement activities.