Assessing sustainable procurement practices for organizational productivity: a case of Mercy Corps in Uganda

Abstract

The study assessed the effectiveness of Mercy Corps effectiveness of Sustainable procurement practices for organizational productivity in Uganda, and this was realized by investigating the overview and understanding of Mercy Corps sustainable procurement practices and their effect on the organizational productivity. A descriptive research design was adopted, both qualitative and quantitative data was collected from 113 staff of Mercy Corps using both structured questionnaire and interview guide instruments. Data was analyzed using Statistical package for Social Sciences software and subsequently presented in tables comprising of frequencies, mean and standard deviation. The findings of the study revealed that Mercy Corps staff agree about the environmental focus of sustainable procurement, suggesting that initiatives focused on environmental sustainability are likely well-received and supported within the organization there is a prevalent belief among respondents that sustainable procurement practices are economically advantageous, primarily through cost reduction. The data suggests a strong recognition among respondents of the environmental focus of SPPs and their economic benefits, such as cost reduction. Additionally, there is an acknowledgment of Sustainable Procurement Practices (SPPs) in risk management, aligning with organizational culture and values, enhancing stakeholder responsibility, improving organizational image and competitive advantage, and the importance of clear communication of these practices. Based on the overall findings, the study recommends enhancement of stakeholder engagement and communication through development and implementation of targeted training programs and workshops to clearly define and communicate the roles and responsibilities of various stakeholders in sustainable procurement to the Ugandan context. Additionally, Mercy Corps Uganda should establish and utilize robust evaluation tools for assessing sustainability outcomes, among others.