Abstract
Supply chain management (SCM) plays a pivotal role in the efficiency and effectiveness of the public sector in South Africa, impacting service delivery and fiscal responsibility. This research study intended to assess how well supply chain management best practices (SCMBPs) have been implemented within a Government Entity (GE). The secondary objectives included examining the types of SCMBPs implemented, analysing the challenges encountered during implementation, exploring the link between SCMBPs and the performance of the SCM department, and determining the functionality of all SCM elements within a government entity (GE). Currently, the South African Constitution through acts and National Treasury regulations has recognised the importance of improving its SCM processes to enhance transparency, reduce corruption, and ensure optimum resource allocation. Furthermore, legislation, such as the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), 1 of 1999, the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act (PPPFA), 5 of 2000, and the National Treasury Preferential Procurement Regulations have been enacted to guide the procurement and implementation of SCMBPs. As required by Section 217 (1) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, these regulations enact a strong emphasis on fairness, equitability, transparency, competitiveness, and value for money. In this case study on the GE, data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire and one-on-one interviews with the participants. The challenges restraining the successful implementation of SCMBPs within the GE include the strategic involvement of SCM, lack of capacity and skills development, and transparency through improved technological innovations. This study concludes by highlighting the need for the implementation of SCMBPs in the GE as it impacts the overall performance.
KEYWORDS
Supply chain management, best practices, procurement, public sector, South Africa