RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SUPPLIER RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION LEVEL OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REGULATORY FRAMEWORK IN THE DEVOLVED GOVERNMENTS IN KENYA

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between supplier relationship management and implementation level of public procurement regulatory framework in the devolved governments in Kenya. Methodology: The study used descriptive design. The population targeted was 47 devolved governments in Kenya. The study adopted census because of the small size of the population. A structured questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. The study also undertook a pilot test on the instrument’s reliability and validity in the 3 counties; Nyamira, Kisii, Homa-Bay Counties where nine (9) respondents were engaged in the pilot study. Cronbach’s co-efficient Alpha and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to measure the reliability and validity respectively. The data was cleaned and coded then entered into SPSS 25 to be analyzed. The use of descriptive and inferential statistics for data analysis was considered. Study engaged the key informers from the 44 county Governments who positively responded hence achieving 100% response rate. The statistical tests were also done in the study. Presentation of data was in form of charts and tables as deemed appropriate. The study also used ANOVA to analyze the degree of relationship between the variables in the study. Results: The findings obtained indicated that there was significant relationship between supplier relationship management on level of implementation of public procurement regulatory framework in the devolved governments in Kenya. The findings indicated that for every unit of supplier relationship management the value of implementation level of public procurement regulatory framework in the devolved governments in Kenya changes with a positive significance increase of 1.105 in the presence of a moderator. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that the devolved governments functions should embrace supplier’s commitment level on quality of goods and services in their operations such as information sharing between the buyer, improve on their commitment on suppliers’ payment, increase commitment level in supplier partnership and development to improve the supplier’s commitment level and value addition or creation in service delivery.

COMPARATIVE META-ANALYTIC EVALUATION OF THE IMPACT OF SUPPLY CHAIN INTEGRATION ON PERFORMANCE: A DETAILED PERSPECTIVE OF MODERATOR AND MEDIATOR ANALYSIS

In an environment with ever changing customers’ needs and intensifying global competition, quality processes and supply chain (SC) are critical for organisational success. To satisfy customers, outsmart competition and improve performance, contemporary organisations are trying to improve on their processes through integrated supply chains. In an attempt to address this question and effectively contribute to this topic, a comparative meta- analytical evaluation along with key moderator and mediator analysis was conducted. In the lens of many theories, SCI from two perspectives; SCID (internal, suppliers, customer integration) with 67 studies and SCIF (information, operational, relational integration) with 25 studies was assessed on overall performance as well as on both operational and business performance. A quantitative meta-analysis based on Hunter and Schmidt (2004) which was performed through Jamovi, revealed the following: The meta-analysis results which were obtained through Jamovi provided significant correlation coefficients for SCID and SCIF respectively (ř = .476, p <.002) and (ř =.508, p <.001). Therefore, indicating that the association between SCID and performance is medium and positive, while that of SCIF and performance is positive and large. This is a clear indication that SCI from the perspective of SCID and SCIF yields different results, with SCIF having a relatively large effect. Moreover, on average SCIF both at aggregate and individual level has a slightly large effect on performance than SCID. Operational performance was the most influenced by SCID and SCIF, although operational and relational integration indicated a significant larger effect on business performance. Thus, individual SCID and SCIF constructs have different effects on business and operational as overall performance. All moderators though with different levels of interactions indicated a significant effect on both SCID and SCIF. Of the three mediators tested, customer integration had a 32% negative effect, SC agility showed an 89.1% full mediation effect with flexibility indicating a 53% significant effect.

EFFECT OF E-PROCUREMENT PRACTICES ON SUPPLY CHAIN PERFORMANCE

Purpose: the purpose of the study is to establish the influence of electronic procurement practices on supply chain performance. Methodology: The researcher employed a method of reviewing desktop literature. To assess the feasibility of the subject for testing, three processing stages were applied on the subject under review. This was the first step of the original identification of all papers based on the effect of electronic sourcing activities on the efficiency of the supply chain. A second quest covered fully available literature on the issue of e-procurement processes and efficiency of the supply chain. The third stage included the collection of journals that were freely available. The researcher arrived at 12 papers that were relevant for review after an in-depth quest into the top key terms (e-procurement processes, supply chain management, performance). Findings: Procurement performance is the backbone of an organization success since it contributes to competitive purchase and acquisition of quality goods that puts the organization products or services in the competitive edge in the market. In the analysis of the use of e-procurement on performance of the procurement functions of county governments in Kenya, the results revealed that e-procurement is positively related with performance of supply chain function of County Governments in Kenya. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study therefore recommended that the Government come up with policies on adoption of e-procurement practices and provide critical resources and leadership in adoption of e-procurement. It is recommended that in order to achieve maximum benefits of reduced order processing time, reduced costs, reduced human errors and improved delivery, management should enhance electronic system and insist on all orders being processed electronically.

DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF E-PROCUREMENT PRACTICES: A CRITIQUE OF LITERATURE REVIEW

Purpose: This study proposes sought to determine factors influencing the adoption of e-procurement practices. Methodology: The paper used a desk study review methodology where relevant empirical literature was reviewed to identify main themes and to extract knowledge gaps. The study adopted a desktop literature review method (desk study). This involved an in-depth review of studies related to factors influencing the adoption of e-procurement practices. The search was done generally by searching the articles in the Article title, abstract, keywords. A second search involved fully available publications on the subject of e-procurement practices. The third step involved the selection of fully accessible publications. The drawing and interpretation of research findings and sense which is not a quantitative impact evaluation, was important in this context, which implies that qualitative and thematic analysis was most suitable in this study. Findings: From the study, it was noted that E-procurement has not been fully adopted by all the agencies. Further, E-security, staffing, user acceptance and top management support were the factors that were found to be influencing adoption of e-procurement. Top management support and E-security are the major influence of E-procurement adoption especially in the public sector. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommended that Top management support among the organizations should set goals, strategies and baselines that are necessary for the adoption of the E-procurement and follow up to ensure implementation. The study also recommended that due to the sensitivity of the data and the legal nature of orders and payments, security of data should be enhanced. Organizations should create personalized technology systems that create a demand adaptation of ICT at every level of the organizational operations

THE EFFECTIVENESS OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ON MANUFACTURING MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES (MSME) IN LUSAKA: A CASE OF MANDEVU AND KALINGALINGA MARKETS

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to find out the state of supply chain management within MSME’s in Zambia by investigating the Supply Chain Management (SCM) practices, its benefits and challenges using some selected manufacturing micro, small-medium enterprises in Mandevu and Kalingalinga markets of Lusaka. Methodology: The study used descriptive research design and chose questionnaire as the tool for data collection. Purposive sampling technique was employed to obtain information from both the management and staff of the MSMEs. One hundred (100) questionnaires were distributed to the respondents. The obtained data were then analysed using the descriptive method. Results: The study found out that the manufacturing MSME sector appreciates good supply chain management practices, but does not practise it. The study discovered that the sector has not established long term relationships with its customers and suppliers. The sector was found to face several challenges which threaten its long term growth and survival, the most worrying challenges being the lack of financial resources, failure to practice continuous quality improvement, low integration of process technologies and forecasting challenges. The study also revealed that when implemented SCM practices deliver a number of benefits to the MSMEs. For example, increased response to the customer, cost-cutting on service delivery, improved information sharing and improved capacity to offer after-sale services. It is evident that MSMEs would perform well if supply chain management activities are improved. This, however, can be accomplished, if the MSMEs engage in strategic partnerships, customer relationship, high level of information sharing, information quality, as well as continuous quality improvement. Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study could be replicated in other industry sectors of the economy and also in other developing countries to help build on the body of knowledge.