Many countries worldwide have identified e‐procurement as a priority of e‐government agenda and have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, e‐procurement systems. The…
Abstract
Purpose
Many countries worldwide have identified e‐procurement as a priority of e‐government agenda and have implemented, or are in the process of implementing, e‐procurement systems. The purpose of this paper is to understand the challenges of e‐procurement implementation in the government sector and efforts taken to overcome the challenges, using a Malaysia government case.
Design/methodology/approach
This study adopts a qualitative case study approach of an e‐procurement project, which is one of Malaysia's e‐government initiatives. Data were collected using a triangulation approach that involved semi‐structured interviews, document reviews and observation.
Findings
The theoretical framework draws on Croom and Brandon‐Jones and was further developed during data analysis. Findings show that challenges of e‐procurement implementation in government sector are not only related to software integration, data management and roll‐out strategy, but also to legal and administration procedures, information technology (IT) infrastructure, outsourcing contract and IT skills. Findings show the importance of creating an IT facilities centre in rural areas and working closely with a third‐party vendor for users' training and skills development.
Research limitations/implications
The findings extend key issues of e‐procurement implementation using a case study in the Malaysia government. The paper highlights the need to understand challenges and limitations faced by a developing countries such as Malaysia in implementing e‐government projects. The paper provides a basis for further thought and analysis on important issues such as lack of IT infrastructure and skills, as well as high dependency on third‐party developers that needs to be overcome in order to gain the impact of an e‐procurement system.
Practical implications
This paper has explored implementation issues of e‐procurement in government sectors, particularly in developing countries, and hence provides guidelines for future implementation strategy for system developers, government officials and ministry.
Originality/value
Only limited studies examine the implementation issues of e‐procurement in the government sector, especially in developing countries. While current studies focus more on the readiness of implementing e‐procurement, this study posits to understand the challenges faced by a developing country in e‐procurement implementation.
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Marcus Wayne Johnson, Anthony Johnson, Langston Clark, Jonathan E. Howe, Traveon Jefferson, Dionte McClendon, Brandon Crooms and Daniel J. Thomas
This study aims to stimulate scholarly attention and practical application pertaining to individuals recognized as “Docs.” Through conducting a comprehensive analysis and…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to stimulate scholarly attention and practical application pertaining to individuals recognized as “Docs.” Through conducting a comprehensive analysis and acquiring a profound understanding of its many connotations, the objective is to shift attitudes and approaches concerning those who are seen to possess knowledge and value within society.
Design/methodology/approach
For this study, culturally relevant pedagogies were used as theoretical frameworks in addition to Sankofa and concept explication being used as methodologies.
Findings
The authors identified three themes: (1) honorary cultural practice-community nomination of “professahs” and “docs,” (2) (Black) robinhoods – cultural signifiers of distinction and relatability and (3) docs as catalysts – elevating community via consciousness, trust and mentorship as significant understandings of this distinction.
Originality/value
The study emphasizes the importance of “Docs” in both academic and social contexts. The role of “Docs” serves to alleviate potential conflicts of being a Black intellectual. This study further reveals the ways in which Docs align with, promote or possibly undermine established frameworks of thought. Finally, this study provides institutions with opportunities to consider strategies for the utilization, recognition and integration of individuals who are frequently overlooked or undervalued.
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E‐government procurement (E‐GP) can improve the traditional government procurement process. E‐GP can help decrease corruption. This research aims to present the factors of E‐GP…
Abstract
Purpose
E‐government procurement (E‐GP) can improve the traditional government procurement process. E‐GP can help decrease corruption. This research aims to present the factors of E‐GP that can create good governance in government procurement through e‐auction.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey was conducted with Thai public managers who are involved in e‐government procurement. The sample size is 169 professionals representing 67 government agencies.
Findings
There are five factors that enhance governance procurement. These relate to the transparent e‐procurement process, committed public managers and political officials, honest vendors, and specific policies and regulations. A transparent e‐procurement process has a positive effect on good governance practice, increasing cost effectiveness and accountability, and decreasing collusion among vendors. Vendor honesty has a negative impact on collusion. Supportive policy and regulations requirements improve cost effectiveness, accountability, and law enforcement.
Practical implications
E‐GP is not a guarantor of enhanced governance and reduced corruption. It requires a dedicated commitment to strong rule enforcement and penalties to achieve successful implementation of e‐government procurement.
Originality/value
Using a wide range of government agencies, the research addresses the best practices e‐government procurement governance and the benefits of good governance in terms of cost effectiveness, accountability, collusion reduction, and stringent law enforcement.
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Simon R. Croom and Alistair Brandon-Jones
This paper presents the analysis from a study into the key lessons learned from e-procurement implementation across a range of UK public sector organisations. The literature…
Abstract
This paper presents the analysis from a study into the key lessons learned from e-procurement implementation across a range of UK public sector organisations. The literature relating to e-procurement implementation and operation is reviewed, identifying five main themes addressed by the current literature: impact on cost efficiency; the impact on the form and nature of supplier transaction; e-procurement system implementation; broader IT infrastructure issues; and the behavioural and relational impact of eprocurement. The research carried out was intended to explore the perceptions and reflections of both 'early' and 'late' adopters of e-procurement. Seven key lessons are drawn from the study and presented here. We conclude by proposing areas for further research, including the need for research into failed eprocurement projects.
Alistair Brandon‐Jones and Sinéad Carey
Whilst e‐procurement has significant potential to reduce the purchasing costs of an organisation, the realisation of these savings requires user compliance. The purpose of this…
Abstract
Purpose
Whilst e‐procurement has significant potential to reduce the purchasing costs of an organisation, the realisation of these savings requires user compliance. The purpose of this paper is to examine the extent to which user‐perceived e‐procurement quality (EPQ) (operationalised through the dimensions of professionalism, processing, training, specification, content, and usability) influences both system and contract compliance.
Design/methodology/approach
User perceptions of EPQ were examined in four UK organisations using survey data from 274 respondents.
Findings
Strong evidence was found of a positive relationship between user‐perceived EPQ and both system and contract compliance. System compliance was most strongly influenced by professionalism and content dimensions, whilst contract compliance was most strongly influenced by processing, specification, and content dimensions.
Research limitations/implications
Data were collected from e‐procurement users in four organisations, which may limit the extent to which findings can be generalised.
Practical implications
User perceptions of e‐procurement provision significantly influence system and contract adoption. Practitioners should pay attention to management of different dimensions of perceived quality as they may have different effects on both contract and system compliance.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to empirically assess the relationship between user‐perceived EPQ and compliance. Its findings challenge the assumption that the monopolistic dynamics common within internal services, such as e‐procurement provision, are sufficient to ensure compliance. Dissatisfied individuals invariably find ways to circumvent mandatory systems and contracts.
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Katri Kauppi, Alistair Brandon‐Jones, Stefano Ronchi and Erik M. van Raaij
The paper examines the moderating role of a purchasing function's absorptive capacity (AC) on the relationship between the use of electronic purchasing tools and category level…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper examines the moderating role of a purchasing function's absorptive capacity (AC) on the relationship between the use of electronic purchasing tools and category level purchasing performance. The authors argue that an e‐purchasing tool may not in itself positively influence performance unless combined with AC as a human interface to maximise its information and transactional improvement potential.
Design/methodology/approach
Survey data collected from 297 procurement executives of large companies in ten countries are analysed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and hierarchical moderated regression.
Findings
The results demonstrate few significant direct effects of e‐purchasing tools on category performance. All performance measures studied are enhanced when dimensions of AC and their interactions with the e‐purchasing tools are added. Specifically, buyer competence, manager competence and communications climate have performance‐enhancing effects. In some cases, AC on its own appears to increase performance more than e‐tools.
Originality/value
This paper is the first to study the moderating effects of AC on the relationship between e‐purchasing tool usage and category performance. Its findings support the view that simply implementing technology does not lead to performance improvements, but that a human interface is required to maximise the information and transactional improvement potential of e‐purchasing tools.
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Suvil Chomchaiya and Vatcharaporn Esichaikul
The purpose of this paper is to develop a consolidated framework for government e-procurement (e-GP) performance measurement based on the importance internal stakeholders attach…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop a consolidated framework for government e-procurement (e-GP) performance measurement based on the importance internal stakeholders attach to performance measures and metrics, providing in-depth understanding of their interest in e-GP performance.
Design/methodology/approach
This study is divided into two main phases: internal stakeholder identification and consolidation of performance measures and metrics. The mixed-methods approach follows semi-structured expert interviews with questionnaires collected from 413 internal stakeholders.
Findings
Five internal stakeholder groups were identified: management, auditors, financial officers, service users, and service support staff. Eight measures and 44 corresponding metrics were consolidated, and 21 significantly distinct performance metrics were identified from stakeholders’ perceptions. As expected, financial measures were most important to financial officers, while contract management was most important to service support staff.
Practical implications
Although e-GP processes can vary by country, this study’s approach to developing an e-GP performance measurement framework is adaptable, offering beneficial guidelines for designing e-GP performance measurement systems.
Originality/value
This paper goes beyond the existing literature by magnifying the internal stakeholder roles and perceptions of importance, as reflected in the consolidated e-GP performance measurement framework. The consolidation approach with theoretical references (new public management, transaction cost economics, and institutional theory) yielded comprehensive e-GP-specific performance measures and metrics, providing a rigorous approach to measuring e-GP performance.
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The purpose of the paper is to assess success factors associated with e‐procurement auctions. The impacts of e‐procurement auction success factors on the four indicators of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to assess success factors associated with e‐procurement auctions. The impacts of e‐procurement auction success factors on the four indicators of the balanced scorecard are investigated.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey approach is used to measure the constructs in the proposed model. Respondents were selected from three sectors: private, public, and government organizations using judgment sampling. Data are collected from at least two respondents from purchasing personnel in the e‐procurement user firms. At least one of the respondents is in a managerial position. The sample size is 186, representing 20.4 percent from private enterprises, 33.3 percent from public enterprises, and 46.3 percent from government agencies.
Findings
The survey results show that organizational learning of e‐procurement is influenced by service capability, good governance intention, management support policy, and organizational readiness factors. Service capability and organization learning of e‐procurement influence e‐procurement process improvement. Employee satisfaction can be determined by management support policy and e‐procurement process improvement. Employee satisfaction has the strongest positive impact on financial cost improvement. Management support policy has a negative impact on financial performance improvement. Trust in e‐procurement online intermediaries has no impact on the four measures of the balanced scorecard.
Originality/value
The study contributes to the literature by using the four balanced scorecard indicators to measure the success of e‐procurement to assist organizations to assess performance in terms of organizational learning, internal process improvement, employee satisfaction, and the financial benefit of e‐procurement.
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Scholars have suggested that the current dynamics within the provision of public services have shaped traditional administration into governance by contract. Under such…
Abstract
Scholars have suggested that the current dynamics within the provision of public services have shaped traditional administration into governance by contract. Under such conditions, restructuring public procurement, specifically within the technological capabilities available within e-procurement, has often been associated with manifold positive financial and policy outcomes. The supposed benefits of digitalizing public procurement are legion, yet they are often assumed and rarely grounded in hard evidence. Based on the results of a survey of procurement specialists (n=499), this article suggests that in its current form e-procurement adoption is failing to uphold the transformative benefits that it is regularly attributed within popular discourse. An extensive literature review is undertaken in order to construct practical understandings of the factors that could explain the rather disappointing early developments. The paper offers a practice oriented normative model that would increase the probability of achieving transformative dynamics as a result of e-procurement adoption.
Susan Cholette, Andrew G. Clark and Özgür Özlük
This study aims to show how cost savings can be achieved through optimizing the scheduling of e-commerce enablements. The University of California is one of the largest, most…
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to show how cost savings can be achieved through optimizing the scheduling of e-commerce enablements. The University of California is one of the largest, most prestigious public education and research systems in the world, yet diminished state support is driving the search for system-wide cost savings.
Design/methodology/approach
This study documents the preparation for and rollout of an e-procurement system across a subset of campuses. A math programing tool was developed for prioritizing the gradual rollout to generate the greatest expected savings subject to resource constraints.
Findings
The authors conclude by summarizing the results of the rollout, discussing lessons learned and their benefit to decision-makers at other public institutions.
Originality/value
The pilot program comprising three campuses has been predicted to yield $1.2m in savings over a one-year period; additional sensitivity analysis with respect to savings, project timelines and other rollout decisions illustrate the robustness of these findings.