Factors affecting the adoption of electronic procurement in Ministry of Defence and Veteran Affairs (MODVA) of Uganda

Abstract

The Purpose of the study was to establish the factors that affect e-procurement adoption in MODVA. The specific objectives of the study related to establishing the relationship between organizational, external e-readiness and perceived benefits factors and adoption of e-procurement. The study used a cross sectional design adopting quantitative and qualitative approaches. The study was conducted in MODVA on a target population of 106 officers at the level of Accounting officer, contracts committee, User department, PDU and IT unit. The study findings reveal a statistically positive but moderate significant relationship between organizational e-readiness and adoption of e-procurement. The correlation analysis findings reveal a statistically positive but low significant relationship between external e-readiness and adoption of e-procurement. There was a high and statistically positive but high significant relationship between perceived e-readiness benefits and adoption of e-procurement. To expedite the adoption and institutionalization of e-procurement in MODVA, the study recommends that the management of MODVA in liaison with functionally affected e-procurement department; communicate the status of e-procurement in the Ministry detailing the visions, resources, steering committees and management commitment to address challenges. Strengthen technological environment by incorporating and communication the IT policy, providing staff with computers, acquire the e-procurement software, and enhance internet connectivity to enable them perform e-procurement operations at their level. MODVA should train staff in specialized e-procurements programs to gain specific knowledge and skills for conducting e-procurement operations; embrace e-procurement in the government plans, allocate funds in its national budget for adoption of e-procurement in government agencies and provide the necessary leadership to implement e-procurement; encourage the current ICT companies and attract investors to develop, B2B, B2C and C2C infrastructure to facilitate e-procurement operations between government agencies and the private sector supplies and contractors. The government of Uganda in liaison with all its ministries, departments and agencies should communicate the informational, transactional and task performance benefits of e-procurement to its staff and prospective suppliers.