CHAPTER ONE

1.1  Background To The Study

E-procurement  involves the use  of  internet ,information networking systems, such as  electronic for the purchase and sales of supplies, work and services between the government and other firms. E-procurement value chain consists e-Tendering, e-Auctioning, of indent management, e-Informing, vendor management, catalogue management, Purchase Order Integration, Order Status, Ship Notice, e-invoicing, e-payment and contract management.

.Baily (2008) classifies e-procurement into the seven categories: the first is Web-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)., E-MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations), E-sourcing, E-tendering ,E-reverse auctioning , E-informing ,and E-market site. According to Eadie et al (2007),the benefit of  E-procurement include, Price reduction in tendering, efficient for the finding and connecting  of new sources, Lower Administration costs, Reduction in procurement staff and competitive advantage over  competitors. A centralized department in the firm can oversee the coordination of all procurement activities for different branches and different offices worldwide can access the same documentation when required, this gives a distinct advantage over the much slower process of having to post documentation between offices. This extends the supply chain beyond geographical boundaries to a much wider group. It facilitates timely delivery and quality delivery of products and services, greater market access but also increased productivity. The research seeks to investigate the effects of e-procurement in the public sector.

1.2  Statement of the Problem

The evolution of e-procurement is also faced with some challenges. Uncertainty lies regarding the legal position of e-procurement. The fear is that whether firms can recognize electronically sent documents as valid or legal.  E-procurement is also faced with the problem of Lack of IT infrastructure, Wong and Sloan (2004) stated that most firms lacked the relevant technology to carry out e-procurement. Also Harrigan (2008) identified other challenges to include system-to-system integration, ICT/technical issues,  technological integration , data quality, and cost of  implications of the system. Baily (2008) classifies e-procurement into the seven categories: the first is Web-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)., E-MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations), E-sourcing, E-tendering ,E-reverse auctioning , E-informing ,and E-market site. According to Eadie et al (2007),the benefit of  E-procurement include, Price reduction in tendering, efficient for the finding and connecting  of new sources, Lower Administration costs, Reduction in procurement staff and competitive advantage over  competitors. A centralized department in the firm can oversee the coordination of all procurement activities for different branches and different offices worldwide can access the same documentation when required, this gives a distinct advantage over the much slower process of having to post documentation between offices. This extends the supply chain beyond geographical boundaries to a much wider group. It facilitates timely delivery and quality delivery of products and services, greater market access but also increased productivity. The problem confronting the research is to determine the effects of e-procurement in the public sector.

 1.3  Objectives of the Study

To determine the effects of e-procurement in the public sector

1.4  Research Question

What is E-procurement?

What is the effect of e-procurement in the public sector?

1.5  Significance of the Study

The study shall proffer an appraisal of the effects of e-procurement in the public sector

E-procurement  involves the use  of  internet ,information networking systems, such as electronic for the purchase and sale of supplies, work and services between the government and other firms. E-procurement value chain consists e-Tendering, e-Auctioning, of indent management, e-Informing, vendor management, catalogue management, Purchase Order Integration, Order Status, Ship Notice, e-invoicing, e-payment and contract management.

.Baily (2008) classifies e-procurement into the seven categories: the first is Web-based ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning)., E-MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations), E-sourcing, E-tendering ,E-reverse auctioning , E-informing ,and E-market site. According to Eadie et al (2007),the benefit of  E-procurement include, Price reduction in tendering, efficient for the finding and connecting  of new sources, Lower Administration costs, Reduction in procurement staff and competitive advantage over  competitors. A centralized department in the firm can oversee the coordination of all procurement activities for different branches and different offices worldwide can access the same documentation when required,

1.6  Research Hypothesis

Ho The effects of e-procurement in the public sector is low

Hi The effects of e-procurement in the public sector is high

1.7  Scope of the Study

The study focuses on the appraisal of   the effects of e-procurement in the public sector

1.8  Limitations of the Study

The study was confronted by some constraints including logistics and geographical factor.

REFERENCES

American International Journal of Contemporary Research (2013) Vol. 3 No. 8;           August 105

Baily, P. J. H. (2008). Procurement principles and management. Harlow, England: Prentice Hall Financial Times. p. 394. 

. Mettler T, Rohner P (2009). "E-Procurement in Hospital Pharmacies: An Exploratory Multi-Case Study from Switzerland". IJournal of Theoretical and Applied Electronic Commerce Research.

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. Retrieved 27 June 2013.

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