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Public Procurement Essay

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Over the past four decades, purchasing has evolved from a clerical function in the 1960s, through being an operational activity in the 1980s to the strategic nature in the 1990s (Gelderman and Van Weele, 2005). While several organisations have transformed their purchasing capabilities into competitive advantage, others are still lagging behind. Today, proactive firms are expected to control their purchasing operations in an effort to build competitive advantage (Carr and Smeltzer, 1997). In spite of the fact that purchasing has gained recognition amongst companies in the developed countries; the reverse is the case however in the developing countries (Msimangira, 2003). Specifically, African scholars have focused more on investigating public procurement reforms while little efforts have been made in the private sector (McCrudden, 2004). In view of the current global financial meltdown, it is imperative for both public and private organisations in Africa to adopt more strategic approaches to purchasing in order to facilitate commercial gains.

Every organization needs to purchase goods and services in order to carry out its mission and objectives (Ellram, 2003). In an increasingly complex business environment, today’s firms are continuously looking for new ways to remain competitive. Procurement process is the act of acquiring property and/or services. It begins when an organization has identified a need and decided on its procurement requirement. Procurement continues

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