IMPACT OF E-PROCUREMENT ON SUPPLY CHAIN EFFICIENCY: PUBLIC SECTOR PERSPECTIVE IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explain efficiency brought by adopting digitalized system called e-procurement within the public sector of Pakistan. E-procurement has become inevitable for both corporate as well as public sector organizations for remaining innovative and competitive in the present day globalization arena. Methodology: The target population for this research is all the public sector departments; dealing with purchasing and procurement matters, throughout the country. The procurement professionals dealing in diverse nature of goods and services, office supplies, edibles, paper products, chemicals, petroleum, equipment, clothing and electronic / electrical equipment etc. throughout the country (Pakistan) were included in the survey. Data was collected through likert scale survey questionnaires. One hundred and fifty questionnaires were sent to the survey respondents and 100% response achieved. To analyze the data regression analysis was done through SPSS Version 20. Findings: The empirical results of the study suggest that three out of four variables i.e. Time Saving, Improved Communication, Vendor Selection are significant to the dependent variable i.e. Supply Chain Efficiency. It is assumed that Pakistan’s public sector is carefully going ahead to embrace the fully integrated e-procurement system. Practical Implications: The research will help the professionals and departments who want to transform their decades’ old manually outdated procurement system and adopt an innovative digitalized way by using the E-System i.e. e-Tendering, e-Evaluation, e- Contracting and e-Transfer of money etc. To make the process a success, the organizations would be required to train their employees, install latest technological infrastructure, motivate their human resource and align their strategies with stakeholder / suppliers.