INFLUENCE OF INNOVATION PROCUREMENT PRACTICES ON PERFORMANCE OF NATIONAL SOCIAL SECURITY FUND IN KENYA
Joseph Meme Mutura - Master of Science (Procurement), Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
Dr. Kennedy Ogollah (Ph.D.) - Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Rapid and revolutionary changes in technology have created an increasingly information-centric global economy, where knowledge has become a key factor in competitiveness. The challenge for many firms today is how to adopt an IT system that can withstand these rapid and revolutionary changes. Primary data was gathered using semi-structured questionnaires where the respondents were issued with the questionnaires. Descriptive research analysis was used. The findings provide a plethora of practical insights into why the Kenyan public sector is marred with instances of quality issues for innovative buys. It established that majority of the employees from both user and procurement departments in NSSF do not possess adequate skills and competence to conduct public procurement for innovations. Policy and practice for procurement for innovation should be carefully evaluated and the results of that evaluation fed back into improved approaches. The government should create supporting structures of expertise with the help of public authorities that have R&D-review as core business and introduce clear incentives to procuring public authorities (the procuring entity) by stating that one percent of the total volume of procurements should be allocated to innovation procurements.
