Abstract
This article articulates the challenges that restrain supply chain management implementation in the South African public sector. Supply chain management (SCM) promotes South Africa’s New Public Management model by means of improved financial management and is a strategic tool for management and enhancement of its procurement practices. Since its inception (2003), training and workshops have been ongoing across various spheres of government. However, despite the effort in capacitating practitioners with appropriate skills and knowledge, SCM execution still remains a challenge. The article utilised a cross-case analysis of case studies conducted for the certificate in the Advanced Programme in Sourcing and Supply Chain Management at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Purposive sampling technique was used to select the cases. The findings of the article reveals that SCM has been fully employed across all spheres of government and customised policies developed as required by the SCM policy. Notwithstanding the employment of the concept, there are challenges that restrain full execution to achieve its potential. These challenges stem from, among other things, non-compliance with SCM policies and regulations; fraud and corruption; lack of proper knowledge and skills etc. The article concludes by suggesting a framework that could improve the public sector supply chain and ensure efficient and effective SCM implementation. Key words: Supply chain management, public sector, challenges.
Highlights
Chain management (SCM) occupies a centre stage in the context of the ongoing financial management reform process in the South African public sector (Mkhize, 2004; National Treasury [NT], 2005a; Ambe and Badenhorst-Weiss, 2011b)
The article utilised a cross-case analysis of case studies conducted for the certificate in the Advanced Programme in Sourcing and Supply Chain Management at the University of South Africa (UNISA)
The findings of the article reveals that Supply chain management (SCM) has been fully employed across all spheres of government and customised policies developed as required by the SCM policy
Summary
Chain management (SCM) occupies a centre stage in the context of the ongoing financial management reform process in the South African public sector (Mkhize, 2004; National Treasury [NT], 2005a; Ambe and Badenhorst-Weiss, 2011b). SCM builds on, and in some ways completes the cycle of financial management reforms initiated in the mid-nineties. The South African public sector supply chain has undergone transformation through the introduction of procurement reforms (Ambe, 2009). To introduce and implement the reforms, the SCM unit in the national treasury in 2001 completed a joint country procurement assessment review (CPAR) with the World Bank to assess procurement practices throughout the public sector. SCM was introduced in the South African public sector (Mkhize, 2004; NT, 2005a)
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