E-Procurement and its impact on Business processes

Author

Nyahore, Tinotenda Mitchell.

Title

E-Procurement and its impact on Business processes

Abstract

This study examines the effects of implementing an e-procurement system on integrated business processes within a state-owned enterprise (SOE) in a developing country. The research design used a case study of the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) and collected data through questionnaires which consisted of closed-ended questions to measure employee perceptions of e-procurement usage and business process efficiency. Findings indicate the system provides clear benefits to procurement functions like purchase order management, invoice processing, workflow streamlining, improved transaction processing times and users reported increased productivity and usefulness across system functionalities. While the system enhanced core procurement accuracy and efficiency, user training emerged as an important issue requiring attention to fully realise benefits. Recommendations focus on strengthening user training programs through standardised, role-specific courses tailored to skill levels through ongoing evaluation and refresher training. Job responsibilities and measurable business objectives supported by the system must be clearly defined and communicated, and a more gradual implementation approach incorporating user acceptance testing is advised. Finally, the study recommends that establishing performance metrics benchmarked to pre-implementation baselines will facilitate ongoing impact monitoring. The study recommends conducting future research to explore the influence of organisational culture and potential cultural barriers within ZETDC on the adoption of the e-procurement system. Specifically, it suggests assessing cultural factors such as attitudes towards change management, technological acceptance, and perceptions of job role evolution

Date

2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

E-Procurement

Business Processes

Supervisor

Ms. E.K. Tapfuma.