1. Data Analysis Process

   • ​The data that related to issues from interviews were coded and grouped into similar themes.

2. Result

• System Specification​

  • The major challenge in system specification is lack of integration between current e-procurement with financial systems that were implemented earlier in the government.​

  • Another challenge is software integration issues the government must agree to integrate the budget approval and payment system into e-procurement, which is difficult to achieve due to specific governance policy in the ministry.

  • Findings also show the challenge of e-procurement implementation is lack of IT infrastructure in rural areas.

  • Lack of data interchange standards that related to limited data entry field, which is the e-procurement is not customized to specific requirements of each ministry.

• Implementation Management

  • The use of formal “project board” protocol (Croom and Brandon-Jones, 2007) to ensure successful of e-procurement implementation.

  • The e-procurement system only requires suppliers to have internet access and card reader to be able to perform e-procurement, small suppliers are reluctant to use e-procurement because of their small-scale business with government.

  • Finding from this study shows the resistance is resulted from service fees being charged on the suppliers (Kaliannan and Awang, 2008).

  • Findings also show challenges related to lack of IT skills, which is profound in developing countries (Heeks, 2003, 2006).

3. ​Fundamental Finding

• Findings show that another challenges of e-procurement implementation in government sector is related to legal and administration procedure, information technology (IT) infrastructure, outsourcing contract and IT skills. 

• Findings show the importance of creating an IT facilities center in rural areas and working closely with a third-party vendor for users’ training and skills development.

• Another findings is the importance of creating an IT facilities center in rural areas and working closely with a third-party vendor for users’ training and skills development.