Problems affecting the operational procurement process: A study of the Zimbabwean public sector

Abstract

Background: The public sector occupies a key role in the economy comprising the appropriation of state revenue to purchase goods and to render services productively, while ensuring the optimum utilisation of available funds and resources to benefit the inhabitants of the country. Problems in the Zimbabwean public procurement sector that detract from service delivery are key contemporary issues. This is evident from the numerous complaints of poor service delivery received by the public that can be attributed to public procurement.Objective: The purpose of this article was to report on a study that investigated problems in the different stages of the operational procurement process in the Zimbabwean public sector that detract from service delivery, the extent of these problems and how the public procurement process can be improved to enhance service delivery.Method: This descriptive and exploratory study followed a quantitative approach. Data were collected by means of a questionnaire administered to all public entities in Zimbabwe. Data were analysed using SPSS. Results: The majority of the identified problems in the public procurement sector that detract from service delivery are found in the advertising, bid evaluation and contract stages.Conclusion: As only a few studies on this topic have been conducted in Zimbabwe, the findings of this research add a significant perspective to the existing body of knowledge and can assist stakeholders with regard to how the public procurement process can be improved in order to enhance service delivery through public procurement process reform and restructuring.

Critical success factors in the supply chain management of essential medicines in the public health-care system in Malawi

“…This is in line with the literature, which states that public sector organisations acquire goods and services from suppliers, subject to the general principles of fairness, equitability, transparency, competitiveness and cost-effectiveness. Public procurement is governed by procurement laws and regulations and includes all the processes related to the sourcing of goods and services by government departments, parastatals and local authorities (Ambe and Badenhorst-Weiss, 2012, p. 244; Dzuke and Naude, 2017, p. 2; Seiter, 2010, p. 45).…”

“…Public procurement performs a key function in service delivery and in the performance of government departments. It is governed by procurement laws and regulations and differs from one country to another, involving all the processes related to the procuring of goods and services by government entities (Dzuke and Naude, 2017, p. 2). Finances used are from state budgets, local authority budgets, state foundation funds, domestic or foreign loans and foreign aid (Ambe and Badenhorst-Weiss, 2012, p. 244).…”

Anniversary 2007–2017

“…The performance of public supply chains affects the quality of life of citizens and the levels of economic development for the country. Dzuke and Naude (2017) identify the problems affecting operational procurement processes and public sector service delivery in Zimbabwe. Advertising, bid evaluation and contract stages are identified as the main problems associated with operational procurement and service delivery.…”

Behavioral Tendencies of Supply Chain Managers in Context of Globalization

“…Many authors such as [4], [5], [11], [20], [31] focused on this issue, however, their point of view is from a certain company or production industry. In supply chain, the final product is obtained as a result of series of transformation activities that serve as an integrated unit in its corresponding process as proved by [6], [9], [24], [18], [7], [15], [29]. The extent of supply chain activities stretches from the primarily supplier of raw materials to the ultimate consumers and supply chain managers are responsible for smoothness of all of these processes, consequently for its performance.…”