Public procurement and competitiveness of women-owned businesses: a structural equation model (SEM) for genderresponsive procurement in Uganda
Loading...
Date
2020
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development
Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Public procurement, Developing countries, Supplier evaluation, Women empowerment, Procurement policy, Gender responsive procurement
Citation
Oluka, P. N., Okoche, M., & Mugurusi, G. (2020). Public procurement and competitiveness of women-owned businesses: a structural equation model (SEM) for gender-responsive procurement in Uganda. World Journal of Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainable Development, 17(2), 209-226. DOI 10.1108/WJEMSD-02-2020-0014