Browsing by Author "Mugurusi, Godfrey"

Now showing 1 - 4 of 4
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    Establishing the connection between successful disposal of public assets and sustainable public procurement practice
    (Sustainable Futures, 2021) Adoko Obicci, Peter; Mugurusi, Godfrey; Oluka Nagitta, Pross
    The disposal of assets after their end-of-use is often considered the end-stage in the procurement cycle. Assets disposal in a public organization is its capacity to attach reusable value to its assets at their end of life. It is an area where the failure of the public procurement process is most attributed yet has the most potential for sustainable procurement practice. This paper examines the factors for the successful disposal of public assets and the public purchasers’ perceptions of how these factors contribute to a better understanding of sustainable procurement practice. Using a cross-sectional survey among key actors in the public procurement process, three key success factors, namely strategic assets management, strategic planning for assets disposal, and assets disposal mechanismsare identified; their effect on successful asset disposal is examined. The results indicate that the three broad factors studied are all important aspects for effective assets disposal. Yet, their effect on the success of the disposal of public assets process is somewhat varied. Based on the three factors’ statistical significance, we conclude that strategic assets’ planning is perhaps the most dominant factor for a successful assets disposal process and provides the most promise for sustainable procurement in public organizations. This study shows that strategic assets management, strategic planning for assets disposal, and the choice of assets disposal mechanisms are all critical enablers of successful disposal of public assets in public organizations and a precursor for sustainable procurement practice. But at the microlevel, disposal planning is by far the most significant enabler for successful assets’ disposal, and therefore a direct driver for sustainable procurement practice.
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    Food insecurity as a supply chain problem. Evidence and lessons from the production and supply of bananas in Uganda
    (Scientific African, 2019) Ssennoga, Francis; Mugurusi, Godfrey; Nagitta Oluka, Pros
    Despite agriculture being the main economic activity in Uganda, increasing food prices within the country point to the growing challenge of food insecurity. In 2016, food short- age was reported in some parts of Uganda (mainly in Karamoja sub-region and parts of Serere) and government resorted to temporary relief distribution of food from other re- gions of the country. The acute food shortage in one part of the country while another part, a few hundred kilometers away, has excess farm output calls into question the effi- ciency of the supply chain of some agro-commodities. This research attempts to examine the challenges faced in the production and supply of bananas in Uganda and how the supply chain perspective can help us address these challenges better. We juxtapose the supply chain approach against the value chain per- spective and argue that the supply chain perspective offers a much deeper understanding of market-based challenges, which affect livelihoods of smallholders who often sell their products at rock-bottom prices. A cross sectional survey of various banana production and consumptions points in Uganda was conducted. The findings show that losses in the supply chain accounted for about 29% of banana production –a figure slightly lower than that 40% previously reported in the literature. In addition, the farmers did not benefit from increased food prices due to inadequate market information at their disposal despite banana value chains having re- cently received significant development attention. We also found that infrastructural bot- tlenecks and limited collaboration and coordination among smallholders heavily affected the supply of bananas in the country. This is arguably a key factor that strongly explains the food insecurity problem in Uganda. We conclude that the findings point to a different problem, which is that of a dysfunctional supply chain structure of bananas from the rural areas to urban centres in Kampala.
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    Human-centered artificial intelligence for the public sector: The gate keeping role of the public procurement professional
    (Procedia Computer Science, 2022) Oluka Nagitta, Pross; Mugurusi, Godfrey; Adoko Obicci, Peter; Awuor, Emmanuel
    The increasing deployment of artificial intelligence (AI) powered solutions for the public sector is hoped to change how developing countries deliver services in key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, education, and social sectors. And yet AI has a high potential for abuse and creates risks, which if not managed and monitored will jeopardize respect and dignity of the most vulnerable in society. In this study, we argue for delineating public procurements' role in the human-centred AI (HCAI) discourses, focusing on the developing countries. The study is based on an exploratory inquiry and gathered data among procurement practitioners in Uganda and Kenya, which have similar country procurement regimes: where traditional forms of competition in procurement apply compared to more recent pre-commercial procurement mechanisms that suit AI procurement. We found limited customization in AI technologies, a lack of developed governance frameworks, and little knowledge and distinction between AI procurement and other typical technology procurement processes. We proposed a framework, which in absence of good legal frameworks can allow procurement professionals to embed HCAI principles in AI procurement processes.
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    Public procurement and competitiveness of women-owned businesses: a structural equation model (SEM) for genderresponsive procurement in Uganda
    (World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 2020) Nagitta Oluka, Pross; Okoche, Michael; Mugurusi, Godfrey
    Several intergovernmental organizations claim that the involvement of women in public procurement has a direct impact on sustainable development and growth, especially in the developing world, yet we know very little of such claim. This study aims to empirically examine how public procurement can contribute to women empowerment by boosting the competitiveness of women-owned businesses (WOBs) in Uganda. Design/methodology/approach – In this study, a cross-sectional survey method is used. Quantitative data were gathered from a sample of 371 respondents in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and a section of women entrepreneurs in Uganda’s capital Kampala. From the literature review, six hypotheses were formulated and tested using structural equation modelling (SEM). A research model is developed and presented. Findings – All hypotheses, except for one, were supported. Procurement policy had a significant influence on evaluation criteria, contract management and most importantly, on the competitiveness of WOBs. Within the procurement process, evaluation criteria had a significant influence on the competitiveness of WOBs, while the influence of contract management on competitiveness of WOBs was not statistically significant. We, therefore, concluded that public procurement can indeed enhance women empowerment through a gender-responsive procurement policy. Above all, pre-contract award interventions such as streamlining evaluation criteria to ease access ofWOBsto public procurement contracts seem have the most significant impact to competitiveness of WOBs compared to post-ward interventions during contract management. Originality/value – This study offers a research-based model that articulates the role of procurement policy as an enabler for competitiveness of WOBs in developing countries. The model proposes a combination of both policy (a direct influence) and interventions in the supplier selection process (an indirect influence) to boost the competitiveness of WOBs.