What are the common challenges in procurement processes across different sectors?

Abstract Background This study examined the difficulties and obstacles faced by healthcare professionals in implementing Iraq's National Plan for Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) Control. This research aims to offer valuable insights into the intricacies of HBV control efforts and identify key areas for improvement. Methods In this qualitative study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of ten physicians, representing diverse medical specialties and healthcare settings, including experts in the fields of medical sciences. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA software version 24 to identify recurring themes and gain insights into the challenges encountered during the implementation of the national plan. Results Ten physicians participated in the study, providing insights into challenges and barriers hindering the effective implementation of Iraq's National Plan for HBV Control. Consensus among participants highlighted challenges such as resource constraints, inadequate infrastructure, population ignorance, and vaccine refusal. Documentation challenges, including inaccuracies in reporting HBV-associated mortality, were also noted. Barriers to successful implementation included poor public awareness, inadequate education for healthcare providers, and funding shortages. Unmet needs highlighted the necessity for unified protocols, surveillance systems, and international training programs. The improvement strategies proposed by participants emphasized raising awareness, supporting primary healthcare centers, and enhancing funding allocation. Conclusion This study underscores significant challenges in implementing Iraq's national plan for HBV control, with barriers ranging from resource constraints to communication barriers. Healthcare professionals advocate for targeted interventions, collaborative efforts, and policy measures to address these challenges effectively. The findings contribute to the evidence base for enhancing HBV control efforts in Iraq and emphasize the importance of tailored approaches to public health interventions.

E-procurement adoption is not without its challenges despite facilitating the purchasing process. Hence, this quantitative cross-sectional survey study aimed to examine the e-procurement adoption barriers encountered by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the Republic of South Sudan. The 300 SMEs selected out of 1215 SMEs through systematic sampling methods resulted in 213 valid responses with a 71% response rate. Empirical data were derived from the survey questionnaires distributed through Google Forms and Portable Document Format (PDF) via email and evaluated with descriptive and principal component analysis (PCA), relative importance index (RII), and analytical hierarchy process (AHP). Resultantly, multiple national e-procurement implementation methods and incorrect reassembly of data transmitted were ranked the highest barrier among the technological factors, followed by delays in the transmission of data and information, and the technology immaturity due to political and legal factors, lack of widely acceptable e-procurement software solutions and flexibility for management factors, company culture and cost of IT investment for organizational factors. Future works could compare the e-procurement adoption barriers perceived by SMEs in emerging and developed nations and ascertain their e-procurement acceptance. Meanwhile, stakeholders could attract more IT firms in the current market through adequate training, a unified platform, holistic e-procurement adoption techniques, high public awareness, employment of IT experts, forums to exchange ideas on e-procurement, and utilization of passwords, information encryptions, or data. This study proposed employing mixed-method techniques to examine and alleviate SMEs' e-procurement adoption barriers.

This study generally determined the challenges encountered by police officers in crime prevention in Tabuk City, Kalinga. The study specifically aimed to determine the specific challenges faced by police officers in effectively preventing crime regarding personal, family, and community relations and resources. Additionally, it sought to investigate the coping mechanisms of police officers to manage the challenges associated with their role in crime prevention. The study used a qualitative-narrative research design, and an interview guide was used to collect the data. The researcher used purposive sampling to select seven participants based on the specific characteristics or criteria relevant to the research questions. Through the use of inductive thematic analysis to analyze the qualitative data, the result revealed that police officers had encountered challenges during the implementation of crime prevention. It includes the impact of duty and personal relationships, threats and attacks, and cultural sensitivity and diversity regarding personal obstacles. Lack of time, high risk and stress, role modeling, and guidance regarding family challenges. Maximum tolerance, community engagement, concealment of criminals, and wrong perception regarding community challenges. Resource challenges require more funds and adequate equipment and vehicles. However, through proactive coping mechanisms, police officers attempted to overcome these obstacles. It concluded that the difficulties encountered by police officers in effectively preventing crime were complex and multifaceted, and they required a holistic approach that prioritized officers' well-being and could better fulfill their mission of promoting public safety. KEYWORDS: Problem encountered, coping mechanism, personal and family challenges, community and resources challenges, police officers

Aim: To comprehend the identified constraints spanning various categories, including economic challenges, environmental issues, extension-related limitations, infrastructural obstacles, informational barriers, operational challenges, technological impediments, and capacity-building constraints faced by farmers utilizing farm mechanization.
 Study Design: This study adopted a comprehensive approach.
 Place and Duration of study: This study was conducted in two distinct regions within Tamil Nadu, specifically Coimbatore and Ramanathapuram, representing high and low irrigation intensity zones, respectively.
 Methodology: The study actively involved 120 farmers, with an equal distribution of 60 participants from each district, who participated by responding to questionnaires. The study meticulously applied the Rank-Based Quotient (RBQ) methodology to assess the most prominent constraints hindering effective farm mechanization.
 Results: The study identified constraints spanning multiple categories, including economic challenges such as the absence of credit facilities and heightened investment costs, environmental issues like pesticide usage and increased fossil fuel emissions, extension-related limitations including restricted interaction between extension officials and farmers in remote areas, infrastructural obstacles like the unavailability of service centers, informational barriers involving inadequate knowledge of government subsidies, operational challenges such as frequent machinery repairs, policy-related issues like the inadequate implementation of government support programs, situational challenges including farmers' hesitance to embrace mechanization, technological impediments such as a lack of familiarity with advanced technologies, and capacity-building constraints, including insufficient training for both farmers and skilled workers.
 Conclusion: These findings emphasize the urgency of targeted policy interventions, increased awareness, enhanced access to training, and the establishment of support mechanisms to surmount these obstacles. Addressing these constraints holds the potential to empower farmers to optimize machinery utilization, augment productivity, and make substantial contributions to agricultural development, providing valuable insights for other developing nations grappling with similar challenges in advancing their agricultural sectors.

PurposeThis paper seeks to explore varied interrelated challenges and barriers experienced by immigrant seniors.Design/methodology/approachSenior immigrants representing diverse ethnicities (Chinese, Afro Caribbean, Former Yugoslavian, Spanish) described their challenges, support needs, and barriers to service access. Service providers and policy makers from organizations serving immigrant seniors were interviewed to elicit their views on barriers to access and appropriateness of services for immigrant seniors. Qualitative methods were employed to enhance understanding of meanings, perceptions, beliefs, values, and behaviors of immigrant seniors, and investigate sensitive issues experienced by vulnerable groups. The qualitative data were subjected to thematic content analysis.FindingsSeniors reported financial and language difficulties, health problems, discrimination, family conflicts, and social isolation. Although most immigrant seniors appreciated the standard of living in Canada and the services provided to seniors, most believed that support received was inadequate. Seniors encountered systemic (e.g. government policies), institutional (e.g. culturally inappropriate programs), and personal (e.g. transportation, language problems) barriers to accessing social and health services. Service providers and policy makers faced high costs of programs, inadequate financial and human resources, inadequate information about needs of immigrant seniors, inadequate geographical coverage, and lack of inter‐sectoral collaboration.Practical implicationsThe challenges experienced by immigrant seniors have implications for programs and policies and can inform the development of culturally sensitive and appropriate services.Social implicationsThe barriers encountered by service providers in assisting immigrant seniors point to the importance of inter‐sectoral coordination, cultural sensitivity training, and expansion of service providers' mandates.Originality/valueThis study revealed numerous unmet needs for successful acculturation of immigrant and refugee seniors in Canada. It also reveals that the most cogent and sustainable approach to close this chasm of support deficits, unattended challenges, and complex stressors is to implement a model that simultaneously addresses the three levels and use a multisectoral approach.

Informal sector (IFS) activities are viable in reducing poverty among women. Yet, the full potential of IFS in reducing poverty among women may not be realised when women encounter challenges which could retard the attainment of United Nations poverty-related Sustainable Development targets. In Ghana, there is a paucity of studies regarding constraints faced by women in the IFS. The purpose of this study was to explore challenges faced by women in the IFS in Kumasi Metropolis of Ghana to inform policy direction. A sample of 356 women recruited through simple random sampling technique was involved in a cross sectional survey. The study found that 30.9% faced a myriad of challenges comprising inadequate customers, non-payment of debts, high taxes and license fees, unavailability of finance, lack of space, lack of capital equipment and difficulties with existing regulations. The study revealed a significant association between age and challenges with IFS activities. The study established a statistically significant difference between spatial location and challenges faced by women in the IFS activity. Policy recommendations that seek to counter these barriers have been offered for implementation.

Rizky Fitriana Ayuningtyas. C13.2019.00251, 2023. Obstacles and Strategies for Purchasing in Procurement of Quality Goods at Awann Sewu Boutique Hotel & Suite Semarang. Hospitality Management Applied Undergraduate Study Program, Faculty of Cultural Sciences, Dian Nuswantoro University.The Purchasing Section is part of the accounting department which is fully responsible for procuring goods as requested by the department, so that hotel operations run smoothly. This final project aims to describe the obstacles and find out the strategy of the purchasing department in the process of procuring goods at Awann Sewu Boutique Hotel & Suite. The author sees that there are obstacles faced by the purchasing department when the process of procuring goods at the hotel. Barriers are prone to occur both from the initial order until the goods have been sent which can affect hotel operations. besides that, the author also looks at the strategies implemented by the purchasing department to overcome obstacles. This study uses a qualitative descriptive method for the data collection process. The data obtained were collected by interview, observation and documentation techniques so as to obtain accurate data regarding the barriers and strategies of the purchasing department in procuring goods. The results of this study describe the obstacles in the Purchasing department in the process of procuring goods at Awann Sewu Boutique Hotel & Suite, so that the Purchasing department needs to implement a strategy in procuring goods to overcome the occurrence of obstacles.

This research paper investigated the marketing challenges faced by potatoes growers and market intermediaries in Parwan province, Afghanistan. The study analysed the field level problems of farmers, consumers, wholesalers, and retailers. The study revealed that farmers encounter various obstacles in potato marketing, with the far-off location of selling markets 40.80 percent , lack of grading facilities 35.80 percent , and transportation issues 35.00 percent strongly agree, and that were being prominent concerns. Additionally, market information gaps 26.70 percent and malpractices by buyers 30.80 percent impact the marketing process. The study also examined consumers' difficulties in purchasing potatoes, indicating issues with timely product availability 18.80 percent strongly agree. Price fluctuations 37.50 percent strongly agree, and inadequate packaging 18.80 percent strongly agreed. Furthermore, consumers expressed concern about potato grading 37.50 percent agreed and quality 37.50 percent strongly agree. Another aspect of the study investigated wholesalers' challenges, identifying the absence of grading facilities 80.00 percent strongly agree. Storage 80.00 percent strongly agreed, and transportation issues 60.00 percent strongly agreed, as key constraints. Wide price fluctuations 70.00 percent strongly agreed, and inaccurate weighing 80.00 percent. Lastly, the research explored retailers' obstacles in potato marketing, highlighted issues with grading facilities 90.00 percent strongly agreed, storage 80.00 percent strongly agreed, and transportation 70.00 percent strongly agreed. Additionally, retailers face challenges with price fluctuations 80.00 percent strongly agree, and selling lower-grade potatoes 70.00 percent strongly agree.

This study aims to determine the procurement process challenges for improving the Department of Correctional Services (DCS). All the participants recruited by the researcher were not forced to participate or sign the consent form. The researcher considered only voluntary participation and the participants were requested to sign the POPI Act consent forms before conducting the face-to-face interview. The study adopted a qualitative research methodology to get a comprehensive and deeper understanding of the challenges and effects of the procurement process. Information was collected from the key informants using Face-to-face interviews; the key informants were possible suppliers, chief executors, executors, and directors. Managers specializing in the procurement field and potential suppliers were chosen as respondents to obtain sentiments toward the procurement process. The study established that (DCS) is one of the national departments faced with the challenges of improving the procurement process. Hence the case study focuses on procurement process challenges for the improvement of the DCS. The study concluded that most of the fruitless, wasteful and irregular, and unauthorized expenditures incurred in DCS are caused by a lack of availability of resources such as employment finances and a lack of technology due to resistance to change from the top management to the lower level.

Solid organ transplantation continues to be constrained by a lack of suitable donor organs. Advances in donor management and evaluation are needed to address this shortage, but the performance of research studies in deceased donors is fraught with challenges. Here we discuss several of the major obstacles we faced in the conduct of the Donor Heart Study-a prospective, multi-site, observational study of donor management, evaluation, and acceptance for heart transplantation. These included recruitment and engagement of participating organ procurement organizations, ambiguities related to study oversight, obtaining authorization for donor research, logistical challenges encountered during donor management, sustaining study momentum, and challenges related to study data management. By highlighting these obstacles encountered, as well as the solutions implemented, we hope to stimulate further discussion and actions that will facilitate the design and execution of future donor research studies.