AN ASSESSMENT OF ICT IN PROCUREMENT RECORDS KEEPING AND PERFORMANCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT

Abstract

ICT usage in procurement is expected to facilitate favourable conditions for collecting more consistent, informed, and reliable data on procurement processes and enhance procurement performance. This study has assessed the effectiveness of ICT in procurement records management in local government authorities with a particular focus on the Arusha City Council. The study was theoretically guided by the Technology Acceptance Model and the Information System Success Model. The study has used the explanatory research design and adopted the quantitative approach. The sample size was 126 staff of the Arusha City Council. Quantitative data was collected by using structured questionnaire and was analysed by descriptive statistics with frequencies, percentage, mean and standard deviation to examine the effect of ICT application on procurement report generation on enhancing procurement performance; the extent to which the ICT application on procurement information transparency enhance procurement performance; and the extent to which the ICT application on procurement information transparency enhance procurement performance. The findings showed that ICT application on procurement report generation have positive effect in enhancing procurement performance. Also, ICT applications on availability of procurement record, accessibility of procurement record; and provision of procurement records have high effects in enhancing procurement performance. Also, ICT application in facilitating procurement information transparency have high effect in enhancing procurement performance. ICT application in facilitating openness of procurement records; tracking procurement records; and clarity of procurement records have high effect in enhancing procurement performance. ICT application on information monitoring and control of procurement records have high effect in enhancing procurement performance. Also, ICT application on accountability on procurement record; responsibility on procurement records and answerability on procurement records have high effect in enhancing procurement performance. It is concluded that ICT applications on availability, accessibility and provision of procurement records have positive and significant effects in enhancing procurement performance at the Arusha City Council. It is also concluded that ICT application in facilitating procurement information transparency; openness of procurement records; tracking procurement records; and clarity of procurement records have high effect in enhancing procurement performance at the Arusha City Council. Furthermore, it is concluded that ICT application on accountability, responsibility and answerability on procurement records have high positive effect in enhancing procurement performance at the Arusha City Council. Therefore, Local government authorities in Tanzania should ensure that all staff in the procurement management units are trained to be proficient in use of the ICT applications in procurement record management; ICT systems used for procurement records should be adequately protected against cyber-crimes to prevent any attempt to maliciously distort procurement records; all procurement functions and processes must be carried out through ICT systems, and all procurement records must be stored and retrieved from the ICT systems only.