An Assessment of the Effect of E-procurement on the Performance of Non-Governmental Organisations in Zambia: A Case Study of Catholic Relief Services

Abstract

This study assessed the impact of e-procurement on the performance of nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Zambia, with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) as the case study. The study was guided by the following objectives: to examine the relationship between e-procurement adoption and operational efficiency, to evaluate its impact on transparency and accountability, to assess its effect on cost savings, and to identify implementation challenges and propose solutions. The research employed a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection methods. A structured questionnaire was distributed to 85 CRS employees directly involved in procurement activities, yielding 73 valid responses (85.9% response rate). Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with key informants to complement the quantitative findings. The results indicated that e-procurement significantly improved operational efficiency, with reduced paperwork, streamlined processes, and shorter procurement cycle times. Enhanced transparency and accountability were observed, evidenced by better audit trails, compliance with policies, and improved stakeholder confidence. Cost savings were also significant, including reductions in administrative costs and procurement transaction costs. However, challenges such as infrastructure limitations, inadequate training, and supplier readiness impeded optimal performance. Recommendations were provided to various stakeholders, including investing in capacity-building programs, enhancing ICT infrastructure, and fostering collaboration among NGOs to share best practices. This study’s findings contribute to the discourse on technology adoption in NGOs, emphasizing the transformative potential of e-procurement in improving organizational performance. The study recommends further research across multiple NGOs to validate the generalisability of these findings and suggests longitudinal studies to assess the long term impacts of e-procurement adoption. Keywords: e-procurement, operational efficiency, transparency, cost savings, technology adoption, procurement challenges, organizational performance