CHALLENGES IMPEDING THE ADOPTION OF E-PROCUREMENT BY PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANISATIONS (MINISTRIES, DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES) IN SIERRA LEONE – A SURVEY

Abstract

The introduction and adoption of public procurement and e-procurement processes as recommended by donor organisations for governments of developing and/or under-developed countries has not achieved the intended objective of value for money. The human and material resources poured into building the capacities of countries like Sierra Leone could be considered as one of the steps of achieving the milestone i.e. value for money. The objective of this study is to examine the factors affecting e-procurement in organizations taking into consideration three factors including the value of e-procurement, e-procurement capability and e-procurement models. Data was collected through the use of a questionnaire targeted at procurement practitioners and Specialists and Heads of government ministries, departments and agencies using convenience sampling which is one of the methods of non-probability sampling. Descriptive statistical analysis techniques were employed for data analysis. Findings from the study revealed that a vast majority of the respondents believe that inadequate or limited capacity, credit facility or credibility and rigid laid-down rules of public procurement procedures and processes are the impediments responsible for the adoption and implementation of e-procurement in Sierra Leone. The paper recommends that the Government of Sierra Leone should put the necessary ICT infrastructure in place, review the current procurement act and adopt the implementation of e-procurement in order to achieve value for money.  Article visualizations: