Factors Hindering the Adoption of Electronic Procurement Systems in Public Entities in Tanzania

Abstract

Although the Tanzanian government has made some efforts to enforce the use of e procurement systems in public entities, Public-sector e-procurement has lagged behind than of the private sector. This study quest is to assess factors hindering the adoption of e procurement system in public entities in Tanzania. The study specifically aims to examine the influence of employee competence, technological infrastructure, and data security on adoption of e-procurement in public entities. This study was hinged in the Technological Acceptance Model (TAM). The study adopted a quantitative research design. The study was conducted at Karagwe district council in Tanzania. Purposive sampling technique was applied to select participants from different departments. Data was collected through questionnaire, and analyzed by quantitative analysis techniques including descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis. The study revealed that employee competence negatively influences the adoption of e-procurement, technological infrastructure positively influences the adoption of e-procurement, and lastly, data security positively influences the adoption of e-procurement in public entities. Therefore, the study thus recommends that there is a need to improve technological infrastructure. The internet infrastructure should be improved so that e-procurement implementation can be done smoothly. Also, the management should improve the security of data and accessibility of the data stored in electronic form as well as the security of the information of the users and make easy accessibility of data to users. The public sector should have enough budgets to procure software and hardware, and running costs for the e-procurement system so that its implementation could bring positive impacts to the organization due to its usage.