Investigation of the Effect of International Procurement of Goods on Performance of the Procurement Function in the Public Sector Entities in Tanzania. A Case of Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) Head Quarter, Dar es Salaam

Abstract

The study examined the Effect of International Procurement of Goods on Performance of the Procurement Function in the Public Sector Entities in Tanzania. Procurement encompasses all activities related to obtaining any goods, works, or services, such as specification of requirements, selection and invitation of tenderers, preparation and award of contracts. Procurement is defined as the buying, purchasing, renting, leasing, or other acquisition of any goods, works, or services by a procuring entity (URT, 2011). The study adopted the descriptive design. Data was collected from 52 respondents from TPA through questionnaires. The sample was chosen using Judgment/ Purposive Sampling methods to select the sample. Using SPSS, descriptive statistics including frequency, and percentage were used to analyze the data. Furthermore, inferential analysis was conducted whereby regression analysis was used to show the relationship between variables. Data was presented by using Tables. The study found that the methods used in international procurement has a significant effect on performance of the procurement function. Furthermore, the study found that the modes of transport used in international procurement has a significant effect on performance of the procurement function. Moreover, the study found that the quality assurance procedures used in international procurement has a significant effect on performance of the procurement function. Methods used in international procurement, modes of transport used in international procurement and quality assurance procedures used in international procurement have a favored impact on has a significant effect on performance of the procurement function. The study recommends that, the management of the public sector should pay attention on procurement methods, modes of transport and  quality assurance practices used in International Procurement of goods  to protect and increase the quality of the goods procured in order to improve performance of the procurement function.