The influence of the business environment on Botswana’s public procurement process and its impact on military

Date
2021-03
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University
Abstract
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: While limited literature on public procurement exists, not much research has been conducted on how the influence of the business environment on public procurement has impacted on military capability in Botswana. The limited literature has only concentrated on reforms, without much emphasis on evaluating the impact on military capability. In attempting to close this gap, this thesis thoroughly explains the concept of public procurement based on the existing literature. Of importance are the legislative and policy frameworks in Botswana in which public procurement is conducted, as well as their implications for defence procurement. In formulating the possible best practice for defence procurement in Botswana, international perspectives were evaluated,which culminated in a regional perspective of conducting defence procurement. This study sought to address the question:“What needs to be done to ensure a prompt and efficient defence force,while being dependent on public procurement that exists in a complex business environment characterised by a bureaucratic system?” In answering this question, this study contributes to addressing the existing deficiency in the literature, as well as contributing a solution to an existing practical problem.This was a qualitative study in approach, case study by design, and an exploratory study by purpose. The study used interviews with a non-statistical expert purposive sampling technique, as well as document analysis. A deductive approach to data analysis and interpretation was adopted through the application of the systems theory and systems thinking approach as major theories. These were augmented with the organisational buying behaviour and dialectical theories. As the analysis was deductive in approach, the elements of systemic structures as derived from the iceberg model were applied for coding. The study concluded that Botswana’s defence procurement requires total structural reforms, which include proper placement of the procurement function, engagement of civil professionals, the development of a security and defence policy, as well as developing a procurement model that will be in line with striking a balance between defence spending and national development goals in line with the current Fourth Industrial Revolution debate.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hoewel daar beperkte literatuur oor openbare bevoorrading bestaan, is daar nog nie veel navorsing gedoen rakende hoe die invloed van die besigheidsomgewing op openbare bevoorrading die verdedigings vermoë in Botswana beïnvloed nie. Die beperkte literatuur het slegs gefokus op hervorming, met min klem op die evaluering van die invloed op verdedigings vermoë. In ’n poging om hierdie gaping te vul, verduidelik hierdie tesis omvattend die konsep van openbare bevoorrading gebaseer op die bestaande literatuur. Die wetgewende en beleidsraamwerke in Botswana waarin openbare bevoorrading onderneem word is belangrik, asook hul implikasies vir verdedigings bevoorrading. Ten einde die beste moontlike praktyke vir verdedigings bevoorrading in Botswana te formuleer, is internasionale perspektiewe getakseer, wat gelei het na’n streeksperspektief tot die onderneming van verdedigings bevoorrading. Hierdie studie het gepoog om die vraag “Wat moet gedoen word om ’n vaardige en doeltreffende verdedigingsmag te verseker terwyl dit afhanklik is van openbare bevoorrading wat bestaan in ’n ingewikkelde besigheidsomgewing wat gekenmerk word deur ’n burokratiese stelsel?” te beantwoord. Deur hierdie vraag te beantwoord, dra hierdie studie daartoe by om die bestaande gebrek in die literatuur aan te spreek, en dra ook by tot ’n oplossing vir ’n bestaande praktiese probleem. Hierdie studie het ’n kwalitatiewe navorsingsbenadering en ’n gevallestudie-ontwerp gevolg, en was ’n verkennende studie. Hierdie studie het gebruik gemaak van onderhoude met ’n nie-statistiese kundige doelgerigte steekproeftegniek, asook document ontleding. ’n Deduktiewe benadering tot data-ontleding en interpretering is onderneem deur middel van die toepassing van die stelselsteorie en stelselsdenke-benadering as die hoofteorieë. Hulle is uitgebrei met die organisatoriese koopgedrag-en dialektiese teorieë. Aangesien die ontleding deduktief van aard was, is die die elemente van sistemiese strukture soos ontleen van die ysbergmodel toegepas vir kodering. Die studie het bevind dat Botswana se verdedigings bevoorrading totale strukturele hervorming benodig, wat insluit die behoorlike plasing van die bevoorradingsfunksie, die betrokkenheid van siviele beroepsmense, die ontwikkeling van ’n sekuriteits-en verdedigingsbeleid, asook die ontwikkeling van ’n bevoorradings model wat in lyn is met die verkryging van balans tussen verdedingsbesteding en nasionale Ontwikkelings doelwitte wat belyn is met die huidige debat rakende die Vierde Industriële Revolusie.
Description
Thesis (DPhil)--Stellenbosch University, 2021.
Keywords
Public procurement -- Botswana, Botswana -- Economic conditions, Bureaucracy -- Botswana, Military planning -- Botswana, Botswana -- Armed forces -- Operational readiness -- Planning, Botswana Defense Force, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Botswana -- Ministry of Defence -- Planning, UCTD
Citation