Procurement planning and accountability of local government procurement systems in developing countries: evidence from uganda
| Published date | 01 March 2008 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JOPP-08-03-2008-B005 |
| Pages | 379-406 |
| Date | 01 March 2008 |
| Author | Benon C. Basheka |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Politics,Public adminstration & management,Government,Economics,Public Finance/economics,Texation/public revenue |
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, VOLUME 8, ISSUE 3, 379-406 2008
PROCUREMENT PLANNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY OF LOCAL
GOVERNMENT PROCUREMENT SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES: EVIDENCE FROM UGANDA
Benon C. Basheka*
ABSTRACT. The contribution of planning in facilitating an efficient and
effective performance of public sector organizations is generally undisputed
in both developed and developing countries. Its contribution can be at both
central and local government levels of public sector management. This
article examines the relationship between procurement planning and
accountability of local government procurement systems in Uganda. The
findings arose from a study that was conducted among 99 local government
stakeholders selected from 11 Districts of Uganda, using a correlation
research design. The data was analyzed using principal component factor
analysis that aimed at identifying the critical components of procurement
planning and accountable local governments systems in Uganda.
Consequently, correlation analysis to establish the direction and magnitude
to which the two variables were related was conducted and results are
presented. The findings revealed a significant positive relationship between
procurement planning and accountable local government procurement
systems in Uganda. These results are compared to international research
findings, and suggestions are offered for management, policy making, future
research and efficient accountable local government operations.
INTRODUCTION
There is now very limited doubt among policy makers, managers,
professionals and academics about the importance of public
procurement in facilitating government operations in both developed
and developing countries. Purchases for goods, services and works
continue to exceed 20% of the local government expenditure in a
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* Benon Basheka, MA, is a Lecturer, Uganda Management institute,
Uganda. His research interests are in public procurement, logistics
management, Research methods, project management, higher education
policy and organizational behavior.
Copyright © 2008 by PrAcademics Press
380 BASHEKA
number of countries. Since the 1970s, there has been a growing,
albeit sporadic, interest in strategic approaches to the procurement
process, with an emphasis on the scope of pro-activity (Goh, Lau &
Neo, 1999). Public procurement is increasingly recognized as a
profession that plays a significant role in the successful management
of public resources and a number of countries have become more
aware of the importance of procurement as an area vulnerable to
mismanagement and corruption, and have thus instituted efforts to
integrate procurement in a more strategic view of government efforts
(OECD, 2007). As part of the efforts to adopt a long term and
strategic view of their procurement needs and management, most
countries have resorted to turning to their annual procurement plans
as a possible ‘problem-solver.’ Public procurement, at the local
government level, is believed to be one of the principle areas where
corruption in Uganda takes place (“National Public Procurement
Integrity Baseline Survey,” 2006). Corruption is disastrous to the
sound functioning of any government department. Corruption has
been an intractable problem in many developing countries; especially
where it has become systematic to the point where many in
government have a stake. It diverts decision-making and the
provision of services from those who need them to those who can
afford them (Langseth, Kato, Kisubi & Pope, 1997).
Good public management and administration, with emphasis on
accountability and responsiveness to customer needs; against the
backdrop of serious accountability scandals, has been seen as an
aspect of good governance by donor agencies supporting reforms in
developing countries (Economic Commission for Africa, 2003).
Accountability in the conduct of public affairs has been a major
problem in a number of African countries (Therkilsden, 2001) and
highly centralized forms of governance have been blamed for the
generation of administrative pathologies (Friedman, 1992). But these
administrative pathologies can as well be within decentralized
systems. That is why; mechanisms of ensuring accountability are
necessary within decentralized governance systems. An important
element of the promise of decentralization is the ability to tailor local
public sector policy and service delivery to the needs of local
populations, while at the same time providing incentives for an
effective, efficient and locally accountable public sector (Mullins,
2003).
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