Factors affecting successful implementation of electronic procurement at Zambia Air Force based on the technology acceptance model

Electronic procurement has continued to gain ground in many organisations world over both in government and private institutions as a basis for competitive procurement and as a good practice. African countries have also started implementing electronic procurement and Zambia piloted its electronic procurement through the Zambia Public Procurement Authority (ZPPA) known as Electronic Government Programme (eGP). Electronic procurement when well harnessed has many organisational advantages gained from such reforms. The aim of the dissertation was to identify factors affecting successful implementation of electronic procurement at Zambia Air Force (ZAF) based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). A baseline study was conducted for a targeted population of 100 respondents purposively selected, drawn from Information Technology, Procurement and Finance Departments. Data was collected through the questionnaire administration and analysis of some secondary data. The research design used was descriptive survey, descriptive survey because it provided a set view of the subject, population, and segment. The target population for the study were drawn from Zambia Air Force Headquarters and other outlaying Bases within Lusaka whom data was collected through questionnaire administration and interviews. Data was analysed using Social Package for Social Sciences version 20 and Microsoft Excel. Statistical correlation was used in data analysis to assess the level of adoption and usage of electronic procurement based on the TAM Model. The study findings revealed that perceived ease of use and intention to use was positive. The findings deduced that personnel were ready to embrace electronic procurement implementation reforms largely due to ease of use and usefulness of the system. However, the study revealed that not much was being done by top management at Zambia Air Force regarding the implementation of electronic procurement. The study recommended that ZAF put up necessary electronic procurement prerequisites to enhance operational efficiency, transparency, and accountability in its procurement processes thereby, abiding by government requirement through the ZPPA mandate of 2016