Effects of Compliance Gaps on Public Procurement Management: The Case of Mbeya City Council

Author

Salome Peter

Abstract

 This study evaluated the Effects of Compliance Gaps on Public Procurement Management in Mbeya City Council. The study was guided by the objective to examine the effects of procedural compliance gaps on public procurement management in Mbeya City Council, Tanzania. A mixed-methods approach and descriptive research design were adopted. The target population comprised 250 employees involved in procurement-related activities, from which a sample of 154 respondents was obtained, including 130 questionnaire respondents and 24 key informants. Quantitative data were collected using structured questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistics, while qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews and document review and analysed thematically. Reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed by a Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient of 0.764, while construct validity was supported by a KMO value of 0.781 and a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (χ² = 652.437, df = 153, p < 0.001). The findings revealed that procedural compliance gaps significantly affect public procurement management. Specifically, 65.4% of respondents agreed that documentation errors frequently occur, 63.1% reported that staff deviate from established procurement procedures, and 63.8% indicated that contract management is not consistently conducted according to regulations. Interview findings further identified incomplete documentation, delayed approvals, weak departmental coordination, limited monitoring, and challenges in using electronic procurement systems as major contributors to procedural non-compliance. The study concludes that procedural compliance gaps undermine procurement efficiency, accountability, transparency, and effective contract implementation. The study recommends strengthening enforcement of procurement procedures, improving documentation and internal controls, enhancing staff capacity, strengthening contract monitoring, and improving the effective use of e-procurement systems.

Keywords

Public procurement, procedural compliance, compliance gaps, procurement management, e-procurement

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