Research Proposal on Challenges Facing Procurement of Specialized Equipments in Tanzania

Challenges Facing Procurement of Specialized Equipments in Tanzania

 

1.0  Overview of the Study

Procurement function exists in most organisations particularly multinational and other large enterprises. Procurement department works as opposite of sales and marketing department through identifying suitable suppliers and works to reduce cost of bought in items. With this said, one of the key responsibilities of procurement personnel is to ensure that there will be no shortages. Such responsibility is carried out by properly coordinating acquisition of goods and services and by encouraging open and competitive bidding on all goods and services. When purchasing equipment, materials and supplies as well as services, there is the necessity to ensure that the right quality, in the right quantity at the right price and from the right source is evident.  

The procurement function takes a new role today wherein the emphasis is on long-term business strategy and less emphasis on the more mechanical tasks of price comparisons and order placement. This premise is particularly true since the modern procurement function is more often involved in the process of locating new sources, marketing and research and development (Banning, 1997, p. 1). Locating new sources is also applied in procuring specialized equipments.

However, there are challenges to such including recruiting and developing the acquisition workforce, changing the requirements and budgeting processes, implementing competitive sourcing and strengthening the supplier base. These are just some of the challenge when procuring equipments in general; on the other hand, in the case of Tanzanian companies, challenges faced by the acquisition personnel is not yet explored.  

 

2.0  Statement of the Problem

            The problem that will be addressed in this study is the challenges faced by Tanzanian companies in procuring specialized equipments. There are managerial, financial and technical challenges in procuring specialized equipment that can be explored. However, the process of procuring specialized equipments is not without difficulties. The following research questions will be answered:

1)    How do Tanzanian companies categorized an equipment as specialized equipment? what

2)    What are the common problems experienced by the procuring personnel/officer in acquiring specialized equipments? How these problems are addressed?

3)    How do these reasons relate with internal and external affairs of Tanzanian companies when procuring these equipments?

 

3.0  Objectives of the Study

            The main aim of this study is to explore the extent to which procuring specialized equipments is deemed a challenge to Tanzanian organisations. In lieu with this, the following research objectives will be addressed:

• Explore the different problems faced by Tanzanian companies when procuring specialized equipments
• Investigate the reasons for these challenges internal and external to the Tanzanian companies

 

4.0  Overview of Methodologies

            The research strategy that the study will utilize is the descriptive method. A descriptive research intends to present facts concerning the nature and status of a situation, as it exists at the time of the study (Creswell, 1994). It is also concerned with relationships and practices that exist, beliefs and processes that are ongoing, effects that are being felt, or trends that are developing. (Best, 1970) In addition, such approach tries to describe present conditions, events or systems based on the impressions or reactions of the respondents of the research (Creswell, 1994). This research is also cross-sectional because of limited time. This research is a study of a particular phenomenon (or phenomena) at a particular time. (Saunders et al, 2003) Accordingly, cross-sectional studies often employ the survey strategy, and they may be seeking to describe the incidence of a phenomenon or to compare factors in different organizations.

            In this study, primary and secondary research will be both incorporated. The reason for this is to be able to provide adequate discussion for the readers that will help them understand more about the issue and the different variables that involve with it. The primary data for the study will be represented by the survey results that will be acquired from the respondents. On the other hand, the literature reviews to be presented in the second chapter of the study will represent the secondary data of the study. The secondary sources of data will come from published articles from books, journals and theses and related studies.

            The survey method, also known as the questionnaire method, will be used in gathering the data for this study. Surveys are the most common form of research method for collection of primary data. The descriptive survey of the population is valuable in understanding the audience, and in the definition of the existence and magnitude of the problems, and the survey data are also helpful in determining cause and effect relationships between variables (Commonwealth of Learning, 2000). For this study, Tanzanian companies’ procurement officer will be surveyed. It is planned that at least 75 procurement officers will be surveyed.

 

5.0  References

Banning, K. B. (1997). Opportunities in Purchasing Career, McGraw-Hill Professional.

Best, J. W. (1970). Research in Education, 2^nd Ed. Englewood Cliffs, N.J.: Prentice Hall, Inc.

Commonwealth of Learning. (2000). Manual for Educational Media             Researchers: Knowing your Audience. Vancouver, Canada: Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA).

Creswell, J. W. (1994). Research design. Qualitative and quantitative approaches. Thousand Oaks, California: Sage.

Saunders, M., Lewis, P. and Thornhill, A. (2003). Research Methods for Business Students, 3^rd Ed. London: Prentice Hall Financial Times.

 

 

6.0  Timescale

TASK

Weeks

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

7th

8th

9th

10th

11th

12th

Read preliminary literature

Finalize objectives

Devise preliminary literature review

Devise research approach

Update literature read

Review secondary data

Organize survey

Develop survey questions

Conduct survey

Analyse secondary and primary data

Evaluate data

Draft findings chapter

Complete remaining chapters

Submit to tutor and await feedback

Revise draft and format for submission

Print, bind and submit