Determinants of Implementation of Special Groups’ Procurement Contracts in Public Universities in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to find out the determinants of the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups in the public universities in Kenya. The study was guided by the following objectives: information access, finance access, technical readinesses and finally compliance enforcement in relation to the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups in public universities in Kenya. A cross-sectional survey design was adopted by the study and both qualitative and qualitative methods was applied.The target population was all 39 public universities in Kenya.A sample of 68 procurement as well as finance officials from public universities was used. Questionnaire was used to collect the data. A pilot study was carried out to measure both reliability and validity of the research instruments. Tables and graphs was used to present the results.Regarding access to information, the study established that access to information had a significant and positive effect on the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups.The study established that access to finance had a significant and positive effect on the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups.The study also established that technical readiness had significant and a positive effect on the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups..The study finally established that compliance enforcement onhad significant and a positive effect on the implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups .The study recommends that public universities in the country should effectively integrate procurement functions with ICT based systems that can enhance implied tendering requirements through application of e-procurement methods; use of automated procurement systems as well as implementation of supportive ICT infrastructure for encouraging adoption of ICT based procurement systems. In addition, the study recommended that the public universities in the country should enhance efficient and effective procurement structures, policies and procedures as well imposing sanctions for violation of procurement rules that will boost implementation of public procurement opportunities for special groups.