International Journal of Management and Leadership Studies
2025; 6(i): 938-957
ISSN:
2311 7575
ELECTRONIC PROCUREMENT PRACTICES AND PERFORMANCE OF THE INLAND TRANSPORT INDUSTRY: A CASE STUDY OF KENYA PORTS AUTHORITY, MOMBASA
David Kerosi and Dr. Paul Machoka
Published:
01 December, 2025
Volume:
6
Issue:
i
Keywords:
E-auctioning, E-invoicing, E-procurement, E-tendering, Performance
The study looked at how the Kenya Ports Authority's (KPA) procurement performance
was affected by electronic procurement methods. The increased demand for
accountability, efficiency, and openness in public procurement within Kenya's inland
transport sector served as the impetus for the study. The study's primary goal was to find
out how electronic procurement procedures affect KPA's procurement performance. Its
specific goals were to ascertain how e-tendering, e-auctioning, e-cataloguing, and einvoicing affect procurement outcomes. The Resource-Based View, Transaction Cost
Economics, and the Technology Acceptance Model served as the study's guiding
principles. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods in a descriptive
mixed-method design. Through organized surveys, document inspections, and
interviews, information was gathered from 240 Kenya Ports Authority workers. The
Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 28 was used to analyze the data,
utilizing multiple regression analysis, correlation, and descriptive statistics. The study
established that procurement inefficiencies, limited transparency, and high transaction
costs affected organizational performance. The theoretical framework emphasized the
influence of internal capabilities, transaction efficiency, and technology acceptance on
procurement performance. The literature review revealed that electronic procurement
enhances operational efficiency, accountability, and cost reduction within public
institutions. The conceptual framework demonstrated the interrelationship link eprocurement procedures and procurement success, demonstrating how digital solutions
can enhance institutional results. The population characteristics, sampling techniques,
and data collection tools were all described in depth in the research design. Cronbach's
alpha, expert evaluation, and pilot testing were used to verify validity and reliability. The
ethical precepts of secrecy, anonymity, and informed consent were upheld. The findings
revealed that the four e-procurement practices jointly explained 69.2% of the variation in
procurement performance at KPA (R² = 0.692). Individually, e-tendering contributed
22.8%, e-auctioning 18.6%, e-cataloguing 15.4%, and e-invoicing 12.4% to procurement
performance. The results further showed that procurement planning moderated these
effects and emerged as the strongest predictor of performance outcomes. The adoption
of e-procurement improved efficiency, enhanced transparency, and reduced transaction
costs. Findings showed increased effectiveness, more openness, and decreased
procurement costs resulting from the adoption of electronic procurement systems. The
study concluded that improving staff competency, strengthening contract management,
ensuring adequate resource allocation, and institutionalizing procurement planning
enhance procurement performance. Recommendations included continuous capacity
building, integration of risk management practices, and increased investment in ICT
infrastructure to sustain e-procurement effectiveness. The research provided empirical
evidence on the significance of electronic procurement practices in improving efficiency,
cost control, and accountability within the Kenya Ports Authority. The study contributed
to policy formulation, institutional development, and academic discourse on digital
transformation in public procurement systems.