E-Procurement as a Strategic Sourcing Tool in the Beverage Industry in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study evaluated the impact of e-procurement as a strategic sourcing tool in the Beverage Industry in Zimbabwe. A quantitative survey of 57 respondents drawn from the key players in the Beverage Industry in Harare, Zimbabwe was conducted using a questionnaire. In line with the research objectives, descriptive statistics were calculated and cross tabulations were also performed in SPSS to produce outputs that provided answers to the research questions. The results show that through the use of e-procurement, companies are able to move towards partnership or lean supply with a smaller number of more technically proficient suppliers. The study concluded that there is a significant positive association between e-procurement and improvement in procurement efficiency. The study recommends that organisations develop adequate business processes to support e-procurement and the alignment of existing procurement processes with e-procurement procedures.