Procurement ethics and contract performance in the public sector: A case study at Uganda National Roads Authority(UNRA)

Abstract

This study sought to investigate the relationship between procurement ethical and contract performance in the public sector UNRA as the case study. The study objectives were; To assess the ethical provisions that stipulate procurement ethics on the effectiveness of contract performance management in UNRA, To establish factors contributing to the level of procurement ethics in contract performance management in UNRA and To assess the nature of ethical behavior in the effectiveness of contract performance management in UNRA. A case study design was adopted and data collected from a sample of 50 respondents. Self-administered questionnaires, interview guide and documentary review guide were used in the study. Data was analysed using SPSS Version 16 and findings were presented in a tabular format showing frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation. Qualitative findings were presented in themes in a narrative form. From the study findings, it was revealed that there a significant positive relationship between ethical provisions that stipulate ethics and effectiveness in contract performance (r=0.627, p=002). This was because organizations like UNRA applies public procurement and disposal Act, 2003 amended 2014 in contract performance and in addition to that ethical code of conduct was signed by employees and providers. Value for money is the most core principle underpinning UNRA. It was also revealed that there is a significant relationship between Ethical behavior and Effectiveness in contract performance (r=0.440, p= 0.00). This implied that Ethical behaviors have an effect on public contract performance management in public sector. Organizations like UNRA has its ethics, norms and all workers emphasized confidentiality. UNRA also applies competition in contract award and performance and it allows the public to access all information on contract performance. Results also show that there is a significant positive relationship between Internal & External Factors and Effectiveness in contract performance (r=0.426, p=0.00). There are many factors both internal and external that contribute to the level of procurement ethics in public contract performance. These include different methods of procurement which had different opportunities for risk to occur during contract performance, organizational culture, internal controls, legal requirements, political issues, economic issues, among others. Finally, the study recommended that the UNRA as a government organisation should emphasize and abide by code of ethics. All its employees or members are supposed to follow the code of ethics and more to that breaking it should be subjected to termination or dismissal from the organization