The effect Of digital procurement platforms on susutainable sourcing In SMEs in Kampala Uganda
| dc.contributor.author | David Guum | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2026-06-30T09:56:28Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2026-06-30T09:56:28Z | |
| dc.date.issued | 2026-04-27 | |
| dc.description | Undergraduate | |
| dc.description.abstract | This study examines the impact of digital procurement platforms on sustainable product sourcing among small retail businesses in Kampala, Uganda. The research is guided by R. Edward Freeman’s Stakeholder Theory, which emphasizes the influence of stakeholders on organizational decision-making and business practices. In the context of increasing global attention to sustainability, particularly through the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, businesses are expected to integrate environmental, social, and economic considerations into their procurement and supply chain processes. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in developing economies often encounter structural and technological limitations that constrain their ability to implement sustainable sourcing practices. At the retail sector around Kampala, procurement processes are still associated with informal activities which include face-to-face negotiations, manual records as well as cash, which lack transparency and ability to trace suppliers. This research design was a qualitative investigation based on descriptive research design in order to understand the experience and perception of small retailers and managers in the implementation of digital procurement platforms. The data was collected by using the semi structured interviews with 20-30 purposely chosen participants that were with a minimum of two years of business experience and familiarity with digital procurement tools. The thematic analysis was carried out to analyze this data as suggested by Virginia Braun and Victoria Clarke. The codification process involved deductive themes which were based on the goals of the research and Stakeholder Theory and inductive findings which appeared through the reaction of the participants. The results show that the degree of small retail business adoption of digital procurement platforms in Kampala is moderate with a larger percentage transitional. Retailers are slowly integrating applications like electronic catalogues, supplier portal and online ordering systems. As it is demonstrated, the ethics of stakeholders such as customer demands of the ethically sourced products, regulatory demands of adequate record-keeping, and competitive demands of the retail industry are the major drivers of adoption. A number of obstacles to widespread adoption exist, such as prohibitive pricing of the internet, lack of digital literacy, unreliable infrastructure, and existing dependencies on personal supplier relationships. Nevertheless, these issues have not stopped the platforms leading to a greater level of procurement transparency, an increase in accountability due to the digital records, and more systematized supplier assessment. These enhancements contribute to advancing sustainability across the three aspects of the triple bottom line: the environmental aspect, due to reduced paper waste and improved inventory management; the social aspect, due to enhanced supplier visibility and reliability; and the economic aspect, due to lower transaction costs and stock- outs. However, price remains a significant factor affecting sourcing decisions. This research indicates that stakeholders' expectations are largely mediating factors in determining how well these platforms enhance sustainable sourcing. While digital technologies enhance visibility and information flow, meaningful sustainability outcomes depend largely on how business owners respond to stakeholder demands. This study therefore recommends increased digital literacy support for SMEs, the development of affordable mobile-based procurement platforms, and policy incentives that encourage sustainable sourcing practices among small retail businesses. | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12311/3440 | |
| dc.language.iso | en | |
| dc.publisher | Uganda Christian University | |
| dc.title | The effect Of digital procurement platforms on susutainable sourcing In SMEs in Kampala Uganda | |
| dc.type | Dissertation |