Factors Influencing Effective Implementation of Public Sector E-procurement in Tanzania: A Case of TANROADS Iringa Regional Office

Abstract

E-procurement, as a digital transformation initiative, holds significant promise for enhancing efficiency, transparency, and accountability within the public sector. This study assessed the factors that influence the effective implementation of e-procurement in the context of the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) Iringa regional office. The research focused on three pivotal factors: e-infrastructure, staff competence, and management support. A quantitative research approach with a descriptive research design was employed, targeting a population of 95 individuals, whereby a sample of 80 respondents was drawn in the study. The data was analysed using descriptive statistics including mean and standard deviation. The findings of this study reveal crucial insights into the determinants of effective e-procurement implementation within the public sector. Firstly, e-infrastructure is found to have a significantly positive influence on effective e-procurement implementation. Secondly, staff competence is identified as a critical driver, with employees displaying a commitment to e-procurement and possessing the necessary education, albeit with room for improvement in IT skills. Lastly, management support is a significant enabler of e-procurement success, with investments in technology infrastructure, user manuals, and budgetary allocations for training, maintenance services, and technical support being essential components. This study concludes that e-infrastructure, staff competence, and management support are pivotal factors in the successful implementation of e-procurement within the public sector. The study recommends continuous training, commitment nurturing, policy review, experience sharing, technological enhancements, financial support, and the recruitment of qualified ICT personnel in driving effective e-procurement implementation