The effect of public procurement processes on the performance of public projects
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36096/brss.v7i1.709Keywords:
Supplier Qualification Screening, Competitive Bidding, Supplier Evaluation, Project PerformanceAbstract
This study investigates the impact of public procurement procedures on the efficacy of public projects within Zambia's Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing and Urban Development (MIHUD) and the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). Inefficient procurement methods, characterised by delays, cost overruns, and inferior project quality, have impeded the successful execution of public projects, especially in infrastructure and rural development. The research is to evaluate the impact of Supplier Qualification Screening (SQS), Competitive Bidding (CB), and Supplier Evaluation (SE) on project performance. A quantitative research methodology was utilised, employing a survey-based descriptive design to gather data from 120 procurement experts and project managers within the designated ministries. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) was employed to examine the correlations between procurement methods and project outcomes. The results demonstrate that SQS and CB enhance project performance by facilitating timely delivery and cost effectiveness. Nonetheless, SE exerted a detrimental impact, indicating that too rigorous evaluation processes may result in delays and impede project accomplishment. Hypothesis testing validated these findings, corroborating the alternative hypotheses for SQS and CB, however SE demonstrated an inverse correlation with project outcomes. The report advocates for the fortification of regulatory frameworks, the augmentation of capacity-building programs, the rectification of bureaucratic inefficiencies, and the encouragement of e-procurement platform usage to enhance procurement efficiency. A review of supplier evaluation procedures is essential to avert needless delays in project execution. The study's results have substantial implications for procurement reforms and efficiency enhancements in Zambia. Improving openness, accountability, and stakeholder collaboration in procurement procedures can result in superior project outcomes, fostering national infrastructure development and socio-economic advancement, especially in rural regions. Enhancing procurement policies and using digital solutions will be crucial in developing a more efficient and accountable public procurement system.
Downloads
References
Arrowsmith, S. (2010). Public procurement: Basic concepts and the coverage of procurement rules. Cambridge University Press.
Arrowsmith, S. (2010). The law of public and utilities procurement. Sweet & Maxwell.
Bovis, C. H. (2016). Public procurement in the EU: A legal analysis. Oxford University Press.
Bovis, C. H. (2016). Public procurement: Global revolution. Springer.
Chanda, B., Phiri, T., & Mulenga, K. (2023). Procurement inefficiencies in Zambia’s MIHUD: Supplier evaluation, procurement planning, and project delivery. Journal of Public Procurement and Management, 12(4), 187-204.
Chanda, E., Kangwa, M., & Tembo, D. (2023). Procurement inefficiencies and infrastructure development in Zambia: A case study of the Ministry of Infrastructure, Housing, and Urban Development. Zambian Journal of Development Studies, 28(1), 15-34.
Chanda, M., Phiri, B., & Lungu, J. (2023). Assessing the impact of procurement inefficiencies on infrastructure development in Zambia. Journal of Public Sector Management, 15(3), 102-120.
Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS). (2019). Managing public procurement: Best practices and strategies. CIPS Publishing.
CIPS. (2019). Procurement and supply chain management. Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply.
Creswell, J. W. (2014). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods approaches (4th ed.). SAGE Publications.
Eisenhardt, K. M. (1989). Agency theory: An assessment and review. Academy of Management Review, 14(1), 57-74. https://doi.org/10.2307/258191 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/258191
Henningsson, S., Lindberg, H., & Forsell, A. (2022). Digitalization in Sweden’s public procurement system: The role of e-procurement tools in enhancing efficiency and transparency. European Journal of Public Administration, 45(2), 225-241.
Henningsson, S., Lindgren, R., & Henfridsson, O. (2022). The impact of digital procurement tools on efficiency in Sweden's public procurement system. European Journal of Public Administration, 24(2), 211-229.
Henningsson, S., Olsson, K., & Arvidsson, T. (2022). Digitalization in public procurement: The Swedish experience. Journal of Public Procurement, 22(2), 234-250. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2022.04.004
Jensen, M. C., & Meckling, W. H. (1976). Theory of the firm: Managerial behavior, agency costs, and ownership structure. Journal of Financial Economics, 3(4), 305-360. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-405X(76)90026-X
Kaplan, R. S., & Norton, D. P. (1992). The balanced scorecard: Measures that drive performance. Harvard Business Review, 70(1), 71-79.
Kearney, J., Zhang, H., & Li, D. (2022). The impact of procurement policy reforms on project outcomes in the United States: A longitudinal study. Public Administration Review, 82(1), 65-77. https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13416 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/puar.13416
Kearney, J. P., Martin, D. F., & Schwartz, P. (2022). Policy reforms in public procurement: A longitudinal analysis of efficiency and transparency in the United States. Journal of Government Procurement Research, 19(4), 345-362.
Kearney, P., Johnson, T., & Walker, L. (2022). Procurement reforms in the US public sector: Evaluating policy efficiency and public trust. Public Policy Review, 30(3), 317-338.
Lysons, K., & Farrington, B. (2016). Procurement and supply chain management (9th ed.). Pearson Education.
Menkhoff, T., & Neubert, M. (2011). Procurement in the public sector: Theoretical perspectives and practical applications. Springer.
Menkhoff, T., & Neubert, M. (2011). Public procurement and infrastructure development: An international perspective. Springer.
Mugenda, O. M., & Mugenda, A. G. (2012). Research methods: Quantitative and qualitative approaches. Acts Press.
Mwamba, A. (2022). Challenges of public procurement systems in local government sectors: A Zambian case study. African Journal of Public Administration, 35(4), 301-317.
Mwamba, C. (2022). Transparency in Zambia’s local government procurement: Examining supplier selection and project failure. Zambian Journal of Public Sector Management, 10(1), 55-72.
Mwamba, L. (2022). Transparency and accountability challenges in Zambia’s public procurement system: A case study of the local government sector. African Journal of Governance, 8(2), 123-140.
Ndhlovu, D., Moyo, P., & Sithole, T. (2023). Digitalization in South Africa’s public procurement: Enhancing transparency and project delivery. African Journal of Procurement and Logistics, 15(2), 101-118.
Ndhlovu, L., Moyo, P., & Chirwa, A. (2023). Digitalization of public procurement in South Africa: Impact on procurement performance. International Journal of Public Sector Management, 36(2), 154-169. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJPSM-04-2023-0235
Neuman, W. L. (2013). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches (7th ed.). Pearson.
Njeru, F., Muriithi, W., & Otieno, C. (2024). Procurement reforms and efficiency in Kenya’s public sector: The case of the construction industry. African Journal of Procurement and Supply Management, 19(3), 111-124.
Njeru, G., Wambui, K., & Otieno, J. (2024). Examining the impact of procurement reforms on construction projects in Kenya. East African Journal of Business and Economics, 17(3), 234-251.
Njeru, M., Kamau, G., & Wambui, C. (2024). Procurement reforms in Kenya: Digital platforms, transparency, and adoption barriers. East African Journal of Public Administration, 18(1), 99-120.
Olowu, D., Adigun, O., & Ojo, T. (2022). Procurement inefficiencies and national development in Nigeria. African Journal of Public Administration, 14(2), 189-207.
Olowu, T., Adeyemi, J., & Eze, M. (2022). Procurement inefficiencies in Nigeria: The impact of cost overruns, delays, and lack of training. Journal of African Governance and Development, 20(3), 221-237.
Poghosyan, A. (2022). Performance management in public procurement: Evaluating efficiency and outcomes. Routledge.
Sampa, E., Nkhoma, D., & Banda, M. (2024). The role of e-procurement in improving procurement efficiency in Zambia: A case study of urban development projects. Zambian Journal of Management, 31(2), 89-102.
Slemrod, J., & Wilson, J. D. (2014). Tax systems and the governance of public projects. Journal of Public Economics, 118, 34-46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2014.05.003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpubeco.2014.05.003
Thai, K. V. (2001). Public procurement reexamined. Journal of Public Procurement, 1(1), 9-50. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1108/JOPP-01-01-2001-B001
Wright, L., Xu, H., & Brown, R. (2023). Blockchain technology in public procurement: Revolutionizing transparency and efficiency. Journal of Public Procurement Technology, 17(1), 44-59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpte.2023.01.007
Zulu, C., & Mumba, F. (2022). Policy reforms in Zambia’s public procurement system: Challenges and opportunities. International Journal of Procurement and Supply Chain Management, 27(1), 52-65.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mahongo Katamuna , Bupe Getrude Mutono, Mwanza Erastus Mwanaumo
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Bussecon Review of Social Sciences by Bussecon International Academy is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
