Influence of Buyer-Supplier Collaboration on Supply Chain Efficiency in Manufacturing Firms in Nakuru County, Kenya 1. Introduction Supply chain collaboration aims to leverage the capabilities and knowledge of key suppliers under market uncertainty (Cao & Zhang, 2011). Despite this, according to Vangen and Huxham (2011) most collaborative situations tend to fail or fall short of expectations, as the rationale behind the collaborative efforts is often misguided. Collaborative relationships are best suited where customer faces high risk; the product supplied is technically complex leading to high switching costs; supply of new product/service and new supplier may be required; where supply market for the product is fast changing; in terms of technology and legislation or supply market is restricted. A collaborative environment requires mutual trust and inter-firm dependency, both formal and informal communication, strong commitment towards same goals, inter-organizational capability and the management creating a network culture (Adhaya, 2013). The underlying objective of these long-term relationships is delivery of substantial benefits and advantages to the involved supply chain partners. Buyer-supplier collaboration is important in bringing about adaptation, trust and commitment between buyers and suppliers and this eventually leads to continuance of relationships. These were the findings of a study done by Mugarura (2010) which examined effect of buyer-supplier collaboration on relationship continuity in manufacturing firms in Kampala. Dimensions used were incentive alignment, joint decision making and information sharing in relation to adaptation, commitment, trust and relationship continuity most of which were found to have a positive and significant relationship. The study did not however examine how business continuity brought about by collaborative buyer-supplier relationship, would mean to a firm's performance. Furthermore, local studies such as those by Kamau (2013) on buyersupplier relations and organizational performance among large manufacturing organizations in Nairobi-Kenya found that buyer-supplier collaboration had assisted these manufacturing organizations in enhancing their performance. Their study identified five variables which result to successful buyer supplier relationships were identified and they include: Trust, communication, commitment, cooperation and mutual goals. The study concluded that most large manufacturing companies in Kenya have been embracing buyer-supplier relationships for more than ten years. They conclude that buyersupplier relationships have assisted these companies to enhance the performance of their organizations. It can therefore be implied that buyer-supplier collaboration plays some role in the relationship between third party logistics providers and supply chain efficiency in the said firms.

IntroductionPublic procurement is the acquisition (through buying or purchasing) of goods and services by government or public organizations. Arrowsmith (2016) contends that the concept of public procurement can be referred to as procurement planning, contract placement and contract administration. Procurement framework has been used as a significant apparatus for accomplishing financial, social, and different destinations (Arrow, 2016). The open division's procurement framework is broadly defined as the purchasing, hiring, or acquiring of goods, development works, and administrations via other legally obligatory ways (Kipchilat, 2016). It is a major government function that organizes the largest home display in many countries. If properly managed, the procurement system may contribute to a country's financial development by increasing its economy and proficiency.Procurement, as a global activity, seeks to accomplish a number of goals. Economy, efficiency, fairness (nondiscrimination among prospective suppliers), responsibility, and openness are just a few of them. Savings in buying transaction costs as a consequence of less paperwork, fewer errors, and a more effective purchasing process are some of the advantages of implementing modern procurement (Eyaa & Oluka, 2016). Green procurement, ethical procurement, such as avoiding labor abuses in the supply chain, and social impact procurement, which aims to create economic possibilities for local companies and targeted employee groups, continue to be successfully blended in North American nations. In Asia, nations like China, Thailand, and Malaysia are gradually embracing SPP, following the regional giants such as Japan and the Republic of Korea. A growing number of nations in Latin America are creating, adopting, and implementing SPP policies (United Nations, 2015).The procurement process in the Nigerian construction sector is characterized by a lack of fundamental understanding of electronic procurement and the absence of basic equipment required for the procedure's use. Other issues influencing electronic procurement implementation include inconsistent power supply, financial consequences of setting up electronic procurement infrastructure, and low telecoms infrastructure rank (Oyediran & Akintola's, 2016).

Effective Supply chain management practices dictate fair and balanced treatment of all critical players in any organization's supply chain for better performance. Each of the players has their interests though occasionally some are shared; this scenario puts the position of the procurement professionals at cross roads with buyers and suppliers as they implement their employers' objectives within a regulated environment. The paper explores the dilemma created by variant stakeholder interests in the procurement system and proposes a consultative and trade off approach for procurement professional so as to achieve desired goals. The researchers surveyed all 74 procurement professional who attended the first KISM procurement research forum held at New Stanley hotel in Nairobi in June 2014, opinions were sorted using semi structured questionnaires and analyzed using SPSS. The study focused mostly on public sector procurement practioners since the stakeholders are similar as stipulated by the existing legal framework, private regulations mostly vary from organization to another depending on governance and positioning of procurement. Majority of the procurement professionals cited balancing of variant stakeholder interests as their biggest challenge.

Many organizations across the globe have adopted occupational safety practices notably organizational safety support in order to improve the working conditions and eventually promote employee performance. However the relationship between organizational safety support and employee performance, has not been well established especially in Kenyan public sector a situation that informed the current study. This study adopted a descriptive research design and targeted an overall 428 employee population. A stratified proportionate sampling was used to obtain a sample of 207 respondents. Structured questionnaires were the main instruments of data collection. Both descriptive and inferential statistics was used to analyze data aided by SPSS. Study results were presented using tables, charts and graphs. The study realized a 72.2% response rate. Key findings of the study included; the department of health services in the county had embraced various occupational safety practices. Organizational safety support was found to influence 58.8% of the variations in employee performance. Through safety support practices the department had provided a conducive working environment which in turn had translated to high staff productivity. The findings of the study may find use among public sector managers and policy makers. To uphold research ethics, NACOSTI, MKU ERC and the Governor's Office, Government of Makueni County permission was sought before data was collected.

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