Title:
EFFECT OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT REFORMS ON SERVICE DELIVERY IN TANZANIA'S PROCURING ENTITIES, WITH DEPARTMENTAL COORDINATION AS A MODERATING VARIABLE

Authors:
Mr. Stephen Lukansola, Prof. Raphael Gwahula and Dr. France Shayo, Tanzania

Abstract:
This study examined the effect of public procurement reforms on service delivery in Tanzania's procuring entities, with departmental coordination as a moderating variable. The study adopted a postpositivist philosophy, a deductive approach, and an explanatory cross-sectional survey design. The study covered six strata of procuring entities based on registration categories. Using stratified sampling, the study collected data from 270 respondents across procuring entities in the Dodoma Region through a structured questionnaire. Data were analysed using PLS-SEM in SmartPLS version 4.1.1.2. The findings revealed that regulatory reforms, organisational norms, and organisational culture reforms significantly and positively influence service delivery. However, departmental coordination showed a mixed moderating effect. It did not significantly moderate the relationship between regulatory reforms and service delivery. In contrast, it negatively and significantly moderated the relationships between organisational norms reforms and service delivery, and between organisational culture reforms and service delivery. This indicates that while coordination is important, excessive coordination may reduce the positive impact of organisational norms and culture on service delivery. The study concludes that effective service delivery depends not only on procurement regulatory frameworks but also on supportive organisational norms, culture, and balanced coordination mechanisms.