The determinants of use behavior of e-procurement system in developing countries

Abstract

The existing body of literature on e-procurement adoption has not adequately predicted the direct and indirect impact of performance expectancy and effort expectancy on the usage behavior of e-procurement system through the attitude of users. This paper focuses on analyzing the direct and indirect effects of various factors that influence the usage behavior of e-procurement systems in Tanzania. The paper was guided by the Social Information Processing (SIP) theory, the Affect Infusion Model (AIM), and the modified Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT). The paper also used a deductive perspective and an explanatory cross-sectional survey research approach. A stratified sampling technique was used to identify 383 respondents (buyers and suppliers) that use the e-procurement system. Data gathering was conducted via the use of a documentary review and questionnaire. Inferential statistical analysis was conducted using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling, with the assistance of SmartPLS 4 software. The results indicate that performance expectancy, effort expectancy, and attitude significantly influence positively the usage behavior of the e-procurement system (p value<0.05). The paper finds that the behavior of buyers and suppliers, after the adoption of an e-procurement system, is indirectly impacted by the system's performance expectancy and effort expectancy, via their positive attitudes. The results of this study confirm the usefulness of the proposed research model in directing management decision-making, particularly in determining the importance of investment considerations when implementing or improving an e-procurement system.