Abstract:
The research study focused on the role of procurement practices in mitigation of stock-outs in public universities. The main objective of the study was to assess the role of procurement practices in mitigating stock- outs with specific reference to Maasai Mara University. The study was guided by the following specific objectives; the role of supplier buyer relationship management, established levels of control, vendor managed inventory and use of information technology on stock- outs mitigation in public universities.
The study used a descriptive survey method. By use of random sampling, a target population of respondents was of (15) employees from departments of procurement stores and internal user were selected from the area of study. Questionnaires containing both closed-ended and open-ended questions were administered to the respondents by the researcher. Data collected was analyzed quantitatively by use of SPSS Version 22.0 and qualitatively by performing a content analysis where it provided an appropriate analysis. All the units of analysis were comprehensively studied and whole population taken into account. The study found out that (47%) of stock-out mitigation were mostly mitigated through supplier buyer relationship management in the organization, (55%) of the respondents supported implementation of establishment of order cycle times, (41%) of the respondents said that vendor managed inventory was either not effective or the current policies are rigid and very bureaucratic while (50%) supported that proper implementation of Information technology through management support on sensitization of the importance of Information technology to members of staff in the procurement and stores department. The study concluded that stock-outs occurred due to poor supplier-buyers relationship management, poor inventory management and also poor planning and control and recommends that training should be offered through the support of management on the role of procurement performance in mitigating stock-out to the Procurement, stores and user departments including all other senior staff members in the University.
