E-PROCUREMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF ROADS CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS IN KENYA. A CASE STUDY OF KENYA NATIONAL HIGHWAY AUTHORITY, KAKAMEGA COUNTY

Abstract

The critical pre-planning stages for road construction projects encompass tasks such as planning, analysis, design, earthwork, paving, implementation, quality control assessment, and task interdependency scheduling. There has been a visible setback in implementation due to timely challenges in completion of road projects construction systems despite reforms in procurement regulations in regard to PPDA of 2005. The primary focus of this study was to investigate the how e-procurement practices has affected the performance of roads construction projects in Kakamega County Government's Western Region with reference to the Kenya National Highways Authority. To do so, the study established the effects of e-procurement practices (e-tendering, e-sourcing, e-valuation, and e-submission) on performance of roads construction projects under KeNHA in Kakamega County. The study was guided by the Resource Based View theory, Dynamic Capability Theory and Unified theory of acceptance. Study findings revealed that e-sourcing had significant influence on performance of road construction projects (t-statistic=19.927, p-value=0.002< 0.05). E-tendering had a significant influence on performance of road construction projects (t statistic=25.674, p-value=0.045< 0.05). Study revealed that e-evaluation had significant influence on performance of road construction projects (t statistic=3.183, p-value=0.006 < 0.05). Lastly, the study revealed that the e-submission had a significant influence on performance of road construction projects (statistic=6.117, p-value=0.000 < 0.05). Measures related to the e-procurement system should be improved, and management should take the lead in the implementation of electronic procurement. This will improve the reduction of supply chain risks and make supplier performance more beneficial for KeNHA as well as road construction projects. The results of this study will inform strategic decisions the management may need to make to ensure effective application of e-procurement in KeNHA as well as other organizations.