Developing and Institutionalising Supply Chain Management Procedures: A Case Study of the Eastern Cape Dept of Roads and Public Works

Abstract

This article presents findings from a case study research in the Eastern Cape Department of Roads and Public Works. It systematically investigates why public institutions fail to implement their Supply Change Management (SCM) policies and procedures. The article provides a clear context for the researchand explains why policies and procedures are vital for organisations. It also illustrateshow policies and procedures are a meansto effective supply chain systems and describes the research method, population and sample. Findings based on the set outcriteria for good institutionalisation of policies and procedures showed that although SCM policies and procedures areprovided to employees and they were aware of the existence of theseinstruments, there was very little participation of employees in the development and review of these policies.  Based on the findings of the research, a key recommendation is that practitioners, are involved in the day to day implementation of the SCM process in public institutions, should also be involved in the development processes of SCM policies and procedures. The research also argues that for public institutions to be effective and efficient, clear departmental guidelines should be simple and straight forward language should be used so as to avoid different interpretations by implementers. These two critical points will contribute to the effective and efficient development and institutionalization of SCM policies and procedures in government institutions.