FACTORS INFLUENCING THE ADOPTION OF E-PROCUREMENT AMONG SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES IN THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH SUDAN
Abstract
Although e-procurement uptake is slow amongst SMEs in developing countries, the introduction of web-based technologies in the 1990s and the creation of social media platforms and other e-commerce sites have currently revolutionized the way small and medium-sized enterprises operate businesses. Therefore, the purpose of this quantitative cross-sectional survey research was to examine the factors that drive the effective implementation of e-procurement systems among SMEs in the Republic of South Sudan. The study systematically sampled and surveyed 300 SMEs out of a total of 1215 and collected data using a survey questionnaire in Google Form format with a valid response rate of 71% (213). The background data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as frequency and percentage; and the variables were analysed using inferential statistics such as principal component analysis (PCA), relatively important index (RII), and analytical hierarchical process (AHP). Resultantly, the availability of experienced and skilled personnel; and the availability of government directives were ranked the highest drivers among the political and legal factors, followed by an increase in quality through benchmarking (market intelligence) and an increase in quality through improved communication due to competitive factors, cost reductions in terms of staffing, processing, transaction, and administrations for management factors. Future studies should evaluate the main factors that motivate SMEs to adopt procurement practices in emerging and developed countries, with the aim of promoting the adoption of e-procurement. Meanwhile, stakeholders could invest in skilled personnel, advocate for government directives and policies, improve communication channels, utilize market intelligence tools, focus on cost reduction strategies, promote training and awareness programs, collaborate with industry partners, and ensure legal compliance. This study proposed employing qualitative techniques to examine the drivers of e-procurement adoption by SMEs.
Key Words: Drivers, Factors, SMEs, E-procurement, Adoption, South Sudan
CITATION: Jama, E. M., Mwanza, B. G., & Mwanaumo, E. M. (2025). Factors influencing the adoption of e-procurement among small and medium enterprises in the Republic of South Sudan. The Strategic Journal of Business & Change Management, 12 (2), 313 – 337. http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v12i2.2928
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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.61426/sjbcm.v12i2.2928
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