The influence of procurement skills on the cross-functional coordination in public procurement: evidence from Tanzania

Currently, there is a growing focus on procurement skills as one of the key variables in explaining crucial outcomes in public procurement. Despite such observations, the relationship between procurement skills and cross-functional coordination is not well articulated to concretize the claimed causal relationship. This study examined the influence of procurement skills on cross-functional coordination in public procuring entities in Tanzania. Data were collected through structured questionnaires from 177 heads of departments found in 11 selected local government authorities in Tanzania. Data were analyzed by using structural equation modeling. The findings reveal that procurement skills in terms of strategic analytical skills, technical tactical skills, as well as interpersonal skills are positive and significant determinants of cross-functional coordination. The findings imply that procurement skills are critical in influencing cross-functional coordination in the procurement process among public entities. This study serves as a wake-up call for procurement managers to improve and update the skills of their staff, particularly procurement professionals. Also, this study fills a gap in the literature that emphasizes internal coordination in procuring entities by contributing to the understanding of the significance of procurement skills in the coordination approach for a more integrated public procurement process.