| dc.description.abstract | Procurement has increased in importance enormously, thus becoming a corporate tool for achieving organizational competitiveness. Hence procurement performance is of paramount importance to any given organization in attaining its competitive advantage. To realize the competitiveness, supplier appraisal becomes a critical component. Supplier appraisal is the assessment of potential supplier's capability of controlling quality, delivery, quantity, price and all other factors embedded in a contract. It identifies credible and reliable suppliers thereby creating effective and sustainable supply process in light of diminishing resources and heightened competition. However, limited research has been documented about the relationship between supplier appraisal and procurement performance. This study analyzed the influence of supplier appraisal on procurement performance in public Universities in Western Kenya. All the seven public Universities in Western Kenya namely Kisii, Maseno, MMUST, JOOUST, Kibabii,University College, Rongo University College and Kaimosi University College were targeted The specific objectives were to: establish the influence of financial stability on procurement performance in public Universities in Western Kenya, establish the influence of operational capacity on procurement performance in public Universities in Western Kenya, establish the influence of quality assurance policy on procurement performance in public universities in Western Kenya, and to establish the influence of human resource capability on procurement performance in public Universities in Western Kenya . The study was guided by a conceptual framework in which independent variables were financial stability, operation capacity, quality assurance policy and human resources capability while dependent variables were delivery, inventory levels, cost, and efficiency. The study adopted correlational survey research design. The target population was one hundred and six. Both structured and unstructured questionnaires, interview schedules and document analysis guides were used as data collection tools. Data from closed ended questionnaire was analyzed to obtain the correlation coefficients. Validity of the instruments was ensured by expert valuation from supervisors and members of the department. Pilot study was done and test-retest method was used to determine the reliability of the instruments. Primary and secondary data was collected for analysis. Primary data was collected through questionnaire and interview schedule. Secondary data was collected through documents analysis. Data was analyzed using analysis of variance, regressions and Pearson correlation and presentation of the results was done using tables. The results of the study are expected to benefit Kenyan Universities, and organization policy makers on matters of supplier appraisal and procurement performance. The findings revealed that financial stability, operational capacity, quality assurance policy and human resource capability had strong influence on procurement performance. The study recommended that Western Kenya public Universities to consider engaging suppliers with good financial stability, required operational capacities, good policies and procedures in all operational functions for the execution of quality end products and to employ trained professionals and continue training them to perform as expected. | en_US |