Abstract:
Public procurement is a key tool to the overall achievements of development goals such as
reducing poverty and providing health, infrastructure, education and other services hence
immensely contribute to best utilization of public resources. The limited public resources
should be properly managed to get the most out of these resources. Despite its importance,
limited scientific research has been undertaken to examine the factors that influence
procurement performance in public institutions in the case of higher public institutions. This
study aimed to examine factors that affect procurement performance in public higher
institutions a case of Jimma University. Specifically, the study sought to examine the variables
procurement planning, resource allocations, staff competency, information technology,
procurement process and procurement follow-up mechanisms that affect the performance of
procurement. The study was conducted through a descriptive design of research. The study
employed purposive sampling technique to select the respondents. The sample size of the study
is 257 respondents from academic and administrative staffs who currently working at
management position and have direct relationship with procurement activities. A structured
questionnaire and interview as a data collection instrument were used. The field data was
statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative summary analyses. Findings
indicate that procurement planning, employee competency, Information technology,
procurement process, procurement follow up mechanism and organizational structure are
highly affect the performance of procurement function and resource allocation or budget
allocation affect the procurement process at minimum level.
