Taking the professionalism out of the profession: a study of procurement and Africa

Abstract

Because of their role, position and assumed power in the financial process, procurement practitioners have been linked with corruption in the workplace. While there is research evidence to suggest the incidence of corruption in public procurement in Africa, the article identifies deeper root causes. The study investigates some traditional drivers of corruption in public procurement in Africa. The constant comparative analytic approach is used to analyse interview data. Our findings reveal that most procurement decisions are driven by political rather than managerial processes thereby diminishing the levels of authority and responsibility provided to practitioners. To surmount this challenge, practitioners must increase their level of education and expertise as this will offer them extended involvement in the decision making process. Regarding social pressures from families, this is in response to the complex cultural settings and perceptions, where the profession is linked with the ability to provide socio-economic needs of extended families.