Analyzing the Issues of E-Tendering Implementation in Public-Private Partnership Practice: A Preliminary Study in Malaysia

Abstract

Public Private Partnership (PPP) has become a popular choice for policymakers in implementing important public projects, especially when it comes to the shortage of government funding resources and where it is necessary to counter public project inefficiency. However, the PPP tendering period, spanning from contract advertisement to contract award, tends to be lengthy due to reliance on paper-based tendering, with e-tendering not being fully utilized. Therefore, this study aims to enhance the understanding of issues related to e-tendering within the context of PPP practice in Malaysia. The research approach begins with a qualitative exploration through literature review and semi-structured interviews with five selected participants from various grades in the public sector, each possessing a minimum of three years of experience in PPP projects. The study identifies factors influencing e-tendering implementation, categorized into people, process, technology, and environment. It emphasizes the importance of IT literacy, consistent processes, suitable technology infrastructure, and organizational support. The readiness for e-tendering varies among participants, with some expressing optimism and others emphasizing the need for policy reinforcement. The outcomes of this study suggest the need for further exploration into the factors that PPP practitioners require before the implementation of an e-tendering system in PPP procurement processes.