Determinants of compliance with access to government procurement opportunities regulations for special groups by public universities in Kenya

Abstract

Public procurement has become an issue of public attention and debate. It has been subjected to reforms, restructuring, rules and regulations. Despite statutory provisions and internal controls, public sector institutions have not fully complied with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations for special groups. Millions of shillings are wasted due to non compliance. Little is known on determinants of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations. This study sought to analyze the determinants of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations for special groups by Public Universities in Kenya. The main objective of this study was to analyze the determinants of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations for special groups by Public Universities in Kenya. This study used a mixed research design as it allowed the researcher to use both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The target population consisted of supply chain officers in all public universities in Kenya. The sample size for this study was therefore 62 respondents from all the public universities. Data was collected using two instruments; a semi-structured questionnaire and an interview guide. The questionnaires were self-administered. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics correlation and regression. The Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (IBM SPSS Statistics 20) was used to aid in data analysis. Quantitative data analysis results were presented in tables and charts. Qualitative data was analyzed using content analysis. Results of qualitative data analysis were presented in descriptive narrative form. The results revealed that prequalification criteria negatively contributed to level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations. The results also show that selection procedures positively contributed to level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations. The study findings revealed that contract management negatively contributed to level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations but it was not statistically significant. The study established that internal processes positively contributed to level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations. The study conclude that higher threshold of prequalification criteria leads to a lower level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations for special groups while an elaborate selection procedure leads to a higher level of compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities regulations for special groups. This study also concludes that the contracting management has significant influence level of compliance Access to Government Procurement Opportunities with regulations for special groups. The study also concludes that a higher threshold of internal controls leads to a higher level of compliance with regulations for special groups. From the results the study recommends that public procurement entities should review their prequalification criteria to ensure that they are not excluding special groups’ enterprises. Public procurement entities should have elaborate selection procedures to ensure that there is a higher level compliance with regulations. The study recommends that government agencies should strengthen contract management to ensure they have complied with regulations. Further government agencies should maintain a high threshold of internal controls to ensure a high compliance with regulations.