ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INLAND TRANSPORT INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY, MOMBASA

Abstract

The study looked at how the Kenya Ports Authority's (KPA) procurement performance was affected by electronic procurement methods. The increased demand for accountability, efficiency, and openness in public procurement within Kenya's inland transport sector served as the impetus for the study. The study's primary goal was to find out how electronic procurement procedures affect KPA's procurement performance. Its specific goals were to ascertain how e-tendering, e-auctioning, e-cataloguing, and e invoicing affect procurement outcomes. The Resource-Based View, Transaction Cost Economics, and the Technology Acceptance Model served as the study's guiding principles. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods in a descriptive mixed-method design. Through organized surveys, document inspections, and interviews, information was gathered from 240 Kenya Ports Authority workers. The Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 was used to analyze the data, utilizing multiple regression analysis, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The study established that procurement inefficiencies, limited transparency, and high transaction costs affected organizational performance. The theoretical framework emphasized the influence of internal capabilities, transaction efficiency, and technology acceptance on procurement performance. The literature review revealed that electronic procurement enhances operational efficiency, accountability, and cost reduction within public institutions. The conceptual framework demonstrated the interrelationship link procurement procedures and procurement success, demonstrating how digital solutions can enhance institutional results. The population characteristics, sampling techniques, and data collection tools were all described in depth in the research design. Cronbach's alpha, expert evaluation, and pilot testing were used to verify validity and reliability. The ethical precepts of secrecy, anonymity, and informed consent were upheld. The findings revealed that the four e-procurement practices jointly explained 69.2% of the variation in procurement performance at KPA (R² = 0.692). Individually, e-tendering contributed 22.8%, e-auctioning 18.6%, e-cataloguing 15.4%, and e-invoicing 12.4% to procurement performance. The results further showed that procurement planning moderated these effects and emerged as the strongest predictor of performance outcomes. The adoption International Journal of Management and Leadership Studies, 2026 Volume 6 Issue 1 940 of e-procurement improved efficiency, enhanced transparency, and reduced transaction costs. Findings showed increased effectiveness, more openness, and decreased procurement costs resulting from the adoption of electronic procurement systems. The study concluded that improving staff competency, strengthening contract management, ensuring adequate resource allocation, and institutionalizing procurement planning enhance procurement performance. Recommendations included continuous capacity building, integration of risk management practices, and increased investment in ICT infrastructure to sustain e-procurement effectiveness. The research provided empirical evidence on the significance of electronic procurement practices in improving efficiency, cost control, and accountability within the Kenya Ports Authority. The study contributed to policy formulation, institutional development, and academic discourse on digital transformation in public procurement systems.