Electronic Tendering Research Articles

E-TENDERING: A REVIEW OF INTERNET-BASED PROCUREMENT PROCESSES

The basic tendering process is changing very much in the digital age. In light of the popularity and extensive reach that the internet & IT networks have through electronic means, this mode is being widely used to select a competent vendor efficiently. The purpose of this project is to create a web-based procurement system following international standards so that entities can take their online tenders efficiently and securely. This cutting-edge blockchain-enabled global procurement portal will be a major turning point in the tendering space by allowing transparent, accountable & fair practices on one of these long-tiring processes that organizations worldwide have to follow. The core purpose of the project is to build a universal electronic tendering system, which can be used on the national level to reduce delays caused by manual processes and promote competitiveness across some industries.

Influence of Adopting Electronic Procurement Practices on Performance of Supply Chain Management for Hospitals in Kenya

Technology has become an integral part of modern business, facilitating transactions and operations in many areas, including procurement. Businesses, clinics, and hospitals in Kenya have been quick to embrace E-Procurement strategies. In Kenyan hospitals, where e-procurement accounts for as much as 30% of operational expenses, this study seeks to evaluate the effect of this trend on supply chain management success. Companies that want to survive in today's cutthroat healthcare market must embrace e-procurement strategies if they want to keep up with the ever-changing industry. By facilitating more efficient inventory management, faster purchasing cycles, increased transparency, and higher quality services, e-procurement practices are essential for improving performance and competitiveness in the market. The health industry is facing severe competition and financing constraints, making it imperative that it reorganizes its service delivery system to adapt to the complicated business climate. The purpose of this empirical study is to investigate how hospitals in Kenya are using electronic tendering and electronic invoicing to improve their supply chain management. The study found that Kenyan hospital administrators have a highly positive perception of electronic procurement practices, with e-tendering scoring an average mean of 4.75, significantly enhancing SCM performance through efficiency and cost savings. The findings concluded that e-invoicing also positively impacts procurement processes, promoting transparency and operational effectiveness. The study further recommended that legislators integrate these electronic procurement practices into healthcare policies, provide financial assistance and training, and encourage hospitals to invest in robust systems and strategic partnerships to improve patient care and system efficiency.

Electronic Procurement and Performance of Procurement Function of County Governments in Kenya.

Implementing electronic procurement and reaping its benefits for organizations has been a top priority for the public sector. Examining electronic procurement and performance of procurement function of county government in Kenya was thus the main objective of this study. The population for this study was 47 units of devolved government in Kenya which were envisioned by new constitution of Kenya 2010. This research relied on the following specific objectives: To determine effect of electronic sourcing on performance of procurement function of county governments in Kenya. To establish effect of electronic tendering on performance of procurement function of county government in Kenya. To determine effect of electronic ordering on performance of procurement function of county government in Kenya. To establish effect of electronic payment on performance of procurement function of county government in Kenya. The study used descriptive research design to collect and interpret data on electronic procurement and performance of procurement function of county governments in Kenya. Forty-seven county governments’ comprised target population of this research. 250 county government employees that are directly or indirectly involved in the procurement process comprised the unit of observation of this research. The researcher used both stratified and simple random sampling technique to select 30% of the total unit of observation to come up with a sample size of 75 respondents. The research used both open and closed ended questionnaires in order to collect primary data. The study used descriptive and inferential analysis to analyse gathered data. Generally, a large number of respondents exhibited responses to indicate that electronic sourcing, electronic tendering, electronic ordering and electronic payment affect performance of procurement function of county governments in Kenya. However, the analysis also showed that a significant number of respondents had a contrary opinion too as well. All these variables had a positive and significant relationship with performance of procurement function of these devolved governments. An examination of the joint relationship by the study confirmed these findings and established that these four variables jointly accounted for 69.9% of the variability in performance of procurement function. The study recommended that county governments should scale down on traditional procurement practises if full benefits of adoption of electronic procurement is to be realized. Further, it was recommended that government and other stakeholders need to work together on incentives of electronic procurement to encourage on technology use on running day to day procurement activities.

Electronic Tendering and Organizational Performance of Parastatals in Nakuru County

E-tendering plays a key role in ensuring that the best suppliers are selected for a continuous supply of better-quality products and services. The study focused on the role of e-tendering through online registration of suppliers, virtual screening, automatic evaluation and automated supplier selection criteria- through the use of an electronic Decision Support System (e-DSS). The study adopted the null hypothesis that e- tendering had no statistically significant influence on parastatals in Nakuru County. The study population included five (5) selected state-owned organisations in Nakuru municipality with a total population of 236 employees in selected departments where a sample size of 91 employees was drawn by application of Daniel’s (1999) sample size formula. Structured questionnaires were used as the main instrument to collect data, out of which 80 respondents gave their responses, an 87.9% response rate. The regression analysis showed a 4.6% change in organisational performance was described by e-tendering. The study confirmed there was a statistical significance (p=.000) between e-tendering and organisation performance, where e-tendering, as a supplier management tool, was able to account for a positive marginal significant increase (B=.133) in organisational performance. There was a moderate positive correlation between organisational performance and e-tendering at .519. The study recommends that parastatals enhance system integration for compatibility and easy access and flow of information, leverage technology, and facilitate training and educating their suppliers on how to use the organisation’s systems and other ICT-related functions.

Electronic Tender Advertisement System on Operational Performance of Small & Medium Enterprises in Kenya

The aim of the study was to evaluate how the electronic tender advertisement system affects the the operational performance of SMEs in Kenya. Schumpeter’s theory of entrepreneurship has been applied to ground the study. A descriptive study design was adopted. The target population for the study included 2500 SMEs operating in Murang’a County. The Yamane sample formula was used to determine a sample size of 189 SMEs. Drop and pick method was used in administering questionnaires with a response of 88%. The data collected was cleaned before being processed by use of SPSS version 23. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses. R2 of 0.671 postulated that 67.1% of the operational performance of SMEs can be attributed to e-tender advertisement. It was concluded that there is a significant effect between E-tender advertisement and SMEs' operational performance. The study recommended that for easier visibility on upcoming tender contracts, firms should opt advertising tender on the most visited or accessible media platform

BidChain: A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Application for Transparent and Secure Competitive Tendering in Public Construction Projects

Deficiencies of tendering systems in public projects can leave governments with subsequent issues in projects and waste taxpayers’ money. Electronic tendering (e-tendering) systems have been found beneficial for awarding public projects; however, current practices still have deficiencies. Legal and security issues and the lack of transparency have been identified as the main shortcomings in current tendering practices. This paper argues that the underlying issue with e-tendering systems is due to their centralized nature. Therefore, this research presents a critical assessment of the blockchain technology in developing distributed e-tendering systems and proposes a novel framework for decentralizing e-tendering systems. The proposed framework is created by integrating three technologies: blockchain, public key infrastructure (PKI), and interplanetary file system (IPFS). Using the proposed framework, a decentralized application (DApp) is developed to demonstrate the concept and evaluate the potentials of blockchain in mitigating the security and legal challenges and improving transparency and trust. The result shows that the reliance on centralized authorities for managing the tendering process is reduced in a blockchain-based e-tendering system, and a transparent and tamper-proof record of the tendering history is distributed among parties.

Factors influencing SMEs’ intention to adopt electronic tendering: empirical evidence from an emerging African market

PurposeDespite the digitalization reforms attempting to enhance public service quality, paper-based tendering is still widely used in a number of developing countries (i.e. Morocco). This has led to many issues including waste of time, higher costs as well as labor-intensive issues. E-tendering has been widely recommended as a key resolution. Still, both scholars and practitioners raised concerns related the readiness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to this digitalization process. The current research aims to investigate the key drivers of SMEs intention to adopt electronic tendering in the context of an emerging African market (i.e. Morocco). Specifically, the authors focus on SMEs contributing to the public procurement process and registered in the online portal recently created by the Moroccan government.Design/methodology/approachTo achieve this goal, the authors proposed a conceptual model combining the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) and technology acceptance model (TAM). Based on data collected from suppliers participating in Moroccan public tenders, the authors empirically tested the conceptual model using a partial least squares (PLS) estimation.FindingsFacilitating conditions and social influence had a positive impact on SMEs intention to adopt electronic tendering. The study’s findings also convey a negative impact of effort expectancy on SMEs intent to adopt e-tendering. Unexpectedly, perceived performance had no significant impact on the intention to adopt electronic bidding among Moroccan SMEs.Originality/valueThis research filled the gap in the literature with regards to SMEs e-Tendering readiness in emerging markets. With the recent digitalization reforms of public tendering in many developing economies (i.e. Morocco), the study findings can be used to improve not only government implementation of electronic bidding but also SMEs' user experience.

Civil Legal Handling of Electronic Transactions

[Purpose] The purpose of the article is to consider the issue of civil law regulation of electronic transactions in many countries. [Methodology/Approach/Design] The authors used the dialectical method of cognition of social and legal phenomena and general scientific research methods, such as analysis, synthesis, a systematic approach. [Findings] General features of legal regulation of electronic transactions were explained. The relevance of electronic transactions is shown on the example of regulatory legal acts in this field in Kazakhstan. Advantages and disadvantages of digitalization in the field of electronic transactions were analysed. Special attention was paid to current realities of electronic transactions and electronic tendering during a pandemic. It was concluded that the advent of digital opportunities simplifies a life greatly, but since these relations are not directly regulated by the laws of several countries, great risks are created. And the adoption of new standards will reduce risks in terms of the circulation of digital rights, the purchase of financial assets and the use of new means of payment.

Important factors influencing the successful implementation of electronic tenders based on the perceptions of consultants, contractors and project owners in Palu

The implementation of e-tenders requires readiness from the aspect of human resources, technological and management capabilities and organizations. To find out the factors that influence the success of the e-tender for construction services in Palu, this research was conducted by involving stakeholders involved in the implementation of the e-tendering, namely consultants, contractors and project owners. Data were collected on the basis of questionnaire survey using Likert scale of 6 and 28 Critical Success Factors (CSFs) were used in the questionnaire survey. The total number of questionnaires distributed was 163, of which 119 were returned, giving a 71% response rate. Data were analyzed using Relative Rank Index (RRI) technique and the Spearman Rank Order Correlation statistical test among three categorical samples. The results show that there is no difference among RRIs’ consultants, contractors and project owners. It is also concluded that the successful implementation of electronic tenders is influenced by factors related to Availability of reliable, affordable, and fast internet services, Availability of reliable ICT infrastructures and computer equipment, Building positive workplace and knowledge sharing culture and also Regular education and training to develop the competence and capability of electronic tendering procedures and requirement

RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR TRANSPORTATION PHYSICAL WORKS CONTRACTS

The value of infrastructure activity in New Zealand is expected to increase to $11.2 billion per year by 2026. However, there is a question concerning the capability and capacity of the construction sector to deliver this quantity of work. This study provides an analysis of award notice data, specifically for transportation physical works contracts published on the Government Electronic Tender Service. Data was reviewed from 1197 transportation projects awarded by Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency, and by 37 local councils across New Zealand. Estimations were then used to assess project resource requirements and later verified by industry professionals. Findings suggest an average of approximately $218 million New Zealand dollars per year was awarded to contractors for transportation physical works contracts from July 2015 to June 2021. However, analysis of contract award dates and award amounts shows the level of resources required to deliver transportation contracts is not consistent throughout the years. Inconsistent workloads may cause contracting companies to experience gaps in resource allocation. Conversely, government agencies may be unnecessarily competing for construction resources due to the timing of project award dates. A strategic, coordinated release of transportation projects could level out demand for construction resources across each financial year. This approach would level out resource requirements, create continuity, and minimize uncertainty for contracting companies, which may allow more effective use of available resources and hence more work to be delivered.

The Systems Approach and Design Path of Electronic Bidding Systems Based on Blockchain Technology

The electronic tendering and bidding system has realized the digitalization, networking, and high integration of the whole process of tendering, bidding, bid evaluation, and contract, which has a wide range of applications. However, the trust degree, cooperation, and transaction efficiency of the parties involved in electronic bidding are low, and bidding fraud and collusion are forbidden repeatedly. Blockchain technology has the characteristics of decentralization, transparent transactions, traceability, non-tampering and forgery detection, and data security. This paper proposes a design path of an electronic bidding system based on blockchain technology, which aims to solve the efficiency, trust, and security of the electronic trading process. By building the underlying architecture platform of blockchain and embedding the business process of electronic bidding, this realizes the transparency, openness, and traceability during the whole process of electronic bidding. This paper uses qualitative and quantitative methods to prove the effectiveness of the system.

Time and Cost Efficiency Analysis of Manual and e-Procurement Systems in Roads and Highways Department: TEC Meeting Arrangement Perspective

Public procurement ensures accountability, time, and cost savings in procuring goods, works, and services. All government departments use manual and electronic tendering processes to purchase goods and services. The Roads and Highways Department (RHD) is one of the big public departments designated as the study's target population. Manual and e-procurement tendering systems are used by all RHD procurement entities (PE). However, time and cost reduction are significant challenges in the manual tendering process. Because, it involves a lengthy process for Tender Evaluation Committee (TEC) meeting arrangements. However, no time and cost comparison study of the manual and e-GP tendering processes for TEC meeting arrangement has been done in RHD after e-procurement inception in 2011. This study uses a stratified sampling strategy to compare the time and cost of a manual tendering procedure to an e-tendering approach, targeting RHD PE officers as samples. The independent samples t-test model was used to compare two groups utilizing the mean value of TEC meeting arrangement time and cost of the e-tender system and the manual tender system as a continuous normally distributed variable. This study makes a unique contribution by comparing the time and cost efficiency of two sets of manual and e-tender procurement methods. The e-procurement system, according to the survey results, reduced excessive times and costs at TEC meeting arrangements. The findings will also be used to enhance academic research and to improve e-GP policy requirements.

ASSESSMENT OF E-PROCUREMENT SUBJECTS' MISSTEPS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND CONSULTANCY SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE SURABAYA CITY AREA AS AN EDUCATIONAL ADJUNCT FOR PROJECT TENDER COURSES

From the government's perspective, an electronic tender or e-tendering system in the procurement of goods and services in Indonesia is a platform to acknowledge good governance and public services since it enhances cost efficiency, effectiveness, shorter turnaround periods, delivers excellent public monitoring, fosters competitiveness, and increases government accountability. Nevertheless, numerous tenders have managed to fail during the implementation of e-tendering for construction works. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors that contribute to tender failures throughout the Surabaya City area. The factors that contributed to the tender's failure were identified from the results of the 220 construction tenders stated on the LPSE website. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to obtain factors that cause e-tender failures from the data obtained. Administrative, technical, price, and qualification criteria are the most dominant four failure criteria. The most apparent cause for auction failure is the provider's inability to attach references to previous projects.

Comparing the Efficiency of Manual and Electronic Tender Document Preparation: Cost and Time Context

In Bangladesh, both manual and e-GP system is used to perform public procurement. Before tender publication, tender documents have to be prepared by the Procurement Entities (PEs). The problem is that the manual tendering system involves more cost and time in preparing tender documents. The study’s purpose is to compare now the efficiency of tender document preparation in the manual system with the e-GP system. This study tests the cost and time involved in tender document preparation, both manual and e-procurement tenders. Sample data was collected from the 11 RHD zones. Structured survey questionnaires were used to collect primary data from the PE officers of RHD. A hypothesis test was performed using the model of independent samples t-test. The test results indicated that e-Procurement tender document preparation costs and time were less than manual tendering. Academicians, researchers, PE officers, and policymakers will benefit from the study’s conclusions.

Implementation of Electronic Tendering in Malaysian Construction Industry: A Case Study In The Preparation and Application of E-Tendering

In Malaysia, construction sector plays a significant and important role in the country's economy. One of the most important and critical phase of a construction project is tendering and procurement phase. A paper-based traditional method of undertaking procurement phase is complicated, costly and time consuming. E-Tendering is a fully digitalized process which increases the efficiency and productivity during the tendering phase. This study evaluated the challenges and benefits of implementing E-Tendering or E-Procurement in Malaysian Construction Industry

Strategy for increasing tender success in Jakarta’s e-tender construction project

Electronic tender or e-tendering system in the procurement of goods and services in Indonesia from the perspective of the government is considered to be a tool to realize good governance and public services, because it will increase cost efficiency, effectiveness, faster cycle times, increase package transparency tendered work, provides better public monitoring, promotes fair competition and increases government accountability. However, in the implementation of e-tendering for construction projects, many tenders have failed. This research aims to identify the factors that cause tender failures and develop strategies to increase the success of e-tendering for construction projects in Jakarta. Identification of the factors causing the tender failure was obtained from a literature study and these factors were validated by experts. Questionnaires were distributed to project owners, tender committee, and contractors who have participated in e-tendering system for public construction projects in Jakarta. From the data obtained, statistical analysis using validity test, reliability test, comparative analysis and descriptive statistical analysis used to obtain factors that cause e-tender failures. Proposed strategies for increasing e-tender success for construction projects were obtained from literature studies and expert judgment.

THE IMPLEMENTATION OF E-TENDERING: THE CLIENTS’ PERSPECTIVE

In construction industry, the most critical phases throughout the project life cycle is tendering phase. The traditional tendering method is often costly which involved paper intensive, expensive and tedious process that eventually cause possibility of errors in the documentation. This leads to the emergence of using the e-tendering system in the construction industry. E-tendering is a system that shift manual paper to fully electronic system to enable means of communication. In line with the Sixth Strategic Thrust of the Construction Industry Master Plan (CIMP) 2006 – 2015’s, Ministry of Works launched the electronic tender management system, called e-tendering. The Public Work Department (PWD) highlighted that the system is launched to develop communication between parties in a project, to increase government and tenderers productivity and to provide a save, trusted and efficient works. The focal point of this paper are the factors and strategies of e-tendering implementation based on the client’s perspectives in Malaysian Construction Industry. A quantitative method was applied and the data were analysed using the average index analysis. The reduction in time of printing, compiling, sorting tender price and received the tender document on time are among the factors influence the client’s decision to apply e-tendering system. The respondents agreed that the top management had played the most significant roles by providing the opportunity for the employee to attend the training related to implementation of e-tendering system. The financial support by the government and guideline notes are also important to ensure the system can be fully applied in the construction industry.

E-Tendering readiness in construction: the posterior model

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to varied a conceptual model for e-Tendering readiness in any construction organisation prior of implementing e-Tendering system.Design/methodology/approachBased on conceptual model called e-Tendering readiness model (e-TRM), this paper empirically examines the e-TRM’s interactions and causal relationships between e-Tendering constructs and e-Tendering readiness. The paper uses the structural equation modelling technique to test the hypothesised positive inter-relationships. A questionnaire survey is conducted for respondents of construction organisations in Saudi Arabia to understand their current e-Tendering readiness and importance of e-Tendering variables.FindingsSupported by empirical evidence, this paper recognised that three out of nine constructs have direct influences on the e-Tendering readiness. However, one of the constructs, which is for the first time hypothesised and tested has the most effect.Research limitations/implicationsUltimately, the empirical test for the e-TRM is conducted in certain case (Saudi Arabia); however, the e-TRM needs to be tested in other case area for more verification.Practical implicationsThe study findings update previous information technology/information system models in construction by adding this tested model to the research literature on traditional and electronic tendering and the body of knowledge in the construction industry.Originality/valueThe service providers construct is proposed and tested for the first time, which is necessary to support the successful e-Tendering implementation.

E-tendering readiness in construction: an a priori model

Purpose To develop a conceptual model to assess the e-Tendering readiness in any construction organisation prior to implementation. Design/methodology/approach This involves a review of previous e-Tendering models, the importance of e-Tendering models for the construction industry and the requirements for developing e-TRMs. Findings A model contains five themes: People, Process, Work Environment, Technology and Service Providers. The e-TRM themes consist of thirteen constructs representing the basic items for e-Tendering readiness. Research limitations/implications Ultimately, the e-TRM can be used worldwide; however, the model needs to be tested empirically for verification. Practical implications To update previous IT/IS models by developing the themes that partially contribute to the research literature on traditional and electronic tendering and the body of knowledge in the construction industry. Originality/value The Service Providers theme with its constructs (communication, market and technical) is proposed for the first time as a necessary support for successful e-Tendering implementation.

Certificateless Aggregate Deniable Authentication Protocol for Ad Hoc Networks

Deniable authentication allows a receiver to identify the source of a given message, but cannot prove the source of a given message to any third party. It can be employed in electronic voting (e-voting) systems, electronic tendering (e-tendering) systems and secure networks negotiation. These applications can be well realised in ad hoc networks. Therefore, deniable authentication is an essential security requirement for ad hoc networks. Aggregate deniable authentication is a method for combining n authenticator of n distinct messages from n distinct users into one single authenticator. This feature is very attractive in bandwidth-limited ad hoc networks. In this paper, we present an efficient certificateless aggregate deniable authentication protocol. Our protocol is based on certificateless public key cryptography that has neither the public key certificates management problem in traditional public key infrastructure (PKI) cryptography nor the key escrow problem in identity-based cryptography. The security of our protocol can be proven in the random oracle model under the bilinear Diffie-Hellman (BDH) and computational Diffie-Hellman (CDH) problems. In addition, our protocol adopts aggregate verification that can speed up the verification of authenticators. Our protocol is very suitable for ad hoc networks.