Afolabi, A; Ibem, E; Aduwo, E and Tunji-Olayeni, P (2022) Digitizing the grey areas in the Nigerian public procurement system using e-procurement technologies. International Journal of Construction Management, 22(12), pp. 2215-2224. ISSN 1562-3599
Abstract
The importance of public procurement can be perceived through the opening up of cities, provision of critical infrastructure, leading to the improvement of the quality of life of the citizens. However, the success of public procurement in the provision of fixed infrastructure is at the detriment of grey areas that corrupt public officials use as loopholes to embezzle public funds. Therefore, this study was aimed at examining the grey areas that exist in the public procurement process with a view to identifying the appropriate digital solutions available in e-Procurement technologies. The study utilized a research survey approach using a questionnaire instrument directed at six (6) geopolitical zones in Nigeria. Using a two-stage sampling technique, 759 construction stakeholders with actual knowledge on the use of e-Procurement technologies and public sector procurement participated in the study. The study identified e-Procurement tools and technologies used by construction stakeholders to announce/notify, exchange project information, conduct tendering and submission of a proposal, notification on the award of contract, monitor the progress of work, and make/receive payment for work done in the public procurement sector. This study showed the significant grey areas of procurement processes that need digitalization using e-Procurement technologies to eradicate corrupt behavior/tendencies. The digital divide in public procurement can be reduced, and proper accountability of public funds using digital solutions. The study showed the digital solutions used for public procurement by construction stakeholders in the Nigerian public procurement industry.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digital solutions; e-procurement; grey areas; public procurement |
| Index terms: | questionnaire, accountability, survey, quality of life, digital divide, digitalization, procurement process, public sector procurement, proposal, critical infrastructure, sampling, procurement system, Nigeria |
| Subjects: | liability law, infrastructure and transport systems, public and environmental health, Geography, digital technology, contractual arrangements, project planning, data collection methods |
| Topics: | Engineering Principles, Project Management, Geographical Context, Research Practice, Health and Safety, Procurement, Digital Applications, Legal Issues |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCEA |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here