Contemporary Procurement Practices and Performance of Public Tea Factories in Kenya

Abstract

The general objective of this study was to examine the influence of contemporary procurement practices on organizational performance in public tea factories in Kenya. The study adopted a descriptive research design to determine the influence of contemporary procurement practices on organizational performance in public tea factories in Kenya. The researcher targeted procurement managers only from Kenya Tea Development Agency and Nyayo Tea Zones Development Corporation. Stratified random sampling method was applied to come up with the sample size, since the population considered heterogeneous. The questionnaires were used since they were effective data collection instruments that allowed respondents to give much of their opinions in regard to the research problem. The questionnaires consisted of both closed and open ended questions for ease of collecting quantitative and qualitative data. Descriptive and analytical analysis techniques were appropriate for both qualitative and quantitative data. Qualitative data was grouped and coded to enable processing and tabulation. SPSS software version 24.0 was used to produce frequencies, descriptive and inferential statistics which was used to derive conclusions and generalizations regarding the population. The concepts of lean supply in public tea factories were derived from those of lean generation, with the main focus being on the buyer as well as the effectiveness of the operation. The lean element in public tea factories involved constant improvement and additionally strives to streamline operations inside the supply chain to eliminate waste and also non-value-added pursuits. The study concluded that designing as well as applying a Lean procurement management procedure drastically alters how the tea factory does business. The study recommended that E-Procurement should support the selection phase and also act like a correspondence platform between the tea factories as well as suppliers. It should address the entire tendering procedure from tender development to contracting, typically including support for the evaluation as well as evaluation activities. It should consist of closing the contract with a provider but facilitate a big part of the tactical procurement procedure.