Contract management and procurement performance of National Research Organisation (NARO) in Entebbe Municipality, Uganda

Abstract

The study investigated the relationship between Contract management and procurement performance at national agricultural research organisation (NARO) Entebbe in Uganda. The objectives of the study were to: establish the relationship between contract monitoring and procurement performance at NARO; establish relationship between contract administration and procurement performance at NARO; establish the relationship between managing contract disputes and procurement performance at NARO. The study employed a cross sectional survey design and mixed methods approach. Quantitative data was collected using questionnaires from Sixty (60) respondents randomly selected and qualitative was collected using interviews administered to six (6) respondents purposively selected. Data was analyzed using SPSS to generate descriptive and inferential statistics. The results showed that contract monitoring significantly influences procurement performance in NARO.A regression analysis run showed that procurement performance is dependent on contract monitoring. Contract administration significantly influences procurement performance in NARO. A regression analysis run indicated that procurement performance is dependent on contract monitoring. Contract dispute management significantly influences procurement performance in NARO. A regression analysis run indicated that procurement performance is dependent on contract monitoring. The respondents interviewed agreed that procurement performance at NARO depends on contracts monitoring, contracts administration and managing contracts disputes. The study concluded that contracts monitoring, contracts administration and managing contract disputes is key in enhancing procurement performance at NARO. The study recommends that NARO invests in constant training of their employees on contracts management, ensure adequate use of information technology to improve quality, speed, effectiveness and efficiency of contracts management.