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Corruption in public institutions is a significant problem that stifles economic, social and environmental development worldwide. This predominates when there is a lack of transparency, inadequate record-keeping, and low public accountability. Accordingly, the questions this paper intends to provide answers to are two-fold. Firstly, what are the recurring patterns of procurement corruption in the South Africa (SA) public sector? Secondly, how can digital technology deployment assist in checking this trend? The desktop method was adopted through literature examination of studies relating to corruption, procurement, blockchain and digitization. We conclude by proposing a model/framework for adopting and using blockchain technology in public institutions to minimise corruption and the time taken for contract document preparation and acceptance. This study contributed to knowledge by evaluating the issues associated with public procurement and how blockchain and digitization can be adopted to help stern the tide of corruption in public institutions.

This study aims to investigate the influence of record management in the tendering process in the public sector in the context of the Embu County Government, specifically the study sought to investigate the influence of training in record keeping and the filing system on tendering process in Embu county government.  The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study used the census method for the 33 members of the tendering committee in the county government of Embu. The study adopted a census because the population was small. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data needed in the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Quantitative responses based on the Likert scale were coded in the computer using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Processed data were summarized in tables and then presented using simple frequencies and percentages. The study established that records management affected the tendering process. The study also revealed that the tendering process in the public sector is statistically significantly (P = 0.000) affected by records management. The study recommended that the County government of Embu should ensure that the tendering process is effective, by adopting advanced training in the record management and filing systems so as to maintain and secure all tender records in the procurement department.

Corruption in public institutions is a significant problem that stifles economic, social and environmental development worldwide. This predominates when there is a lack of transparency, inadequate record-keeping, and low public accountability. Accordingly, the questions this paper intends to provide answers to are two-fold. Firstly, what are the recurring patterns of procurement corruption in the South Africa (SA) public sector? Secondly, how can digital technology deployment assist in checking this trend? The desktop method was adopted through literature examination of studies relating to corruption, procurement, blockchain and digitization. We conclude by proposing a model/framework for adopting and using blockchain technology in public institutions to minimise corruption and the time taken for contract document preparation and acceptance. This study contributed to knowledge by evaluating the issues associated with public procurement and how blockchain and digitization can be adopted to help stern the tide of corruption in public institutions.

This study aims to investigate the influence of record management in the tendering process in the public sector in the context of the Embu County Government, specifically the study sought to investigate the influence of training in record keeping and the filing system on tendering process in Embu county government.  The study adopted a descriptive research design. The study used the census method for the 33 members of the tendering committee in the county government of Embu. The study adopted a census because the population was small. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data needed in the study. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze quantitative data. Quantitative responses based on the Likert scale were coded in the computer using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 22. Processed data were summarized in tables and then presented using simple frequencies and percentages. The study established that records management affected the tendering process. The study also revealed that the tendering process in the public sector is statistically significantly (P = 0.000) affected by records management. The study recommended that the County government of Embu should ensure that the tendering process is effective, by adopting advanced training in the record management and filing systems so as to maintain and secure all tender records in the procurement department.