Information integration, procurement internal controls, material and purchasing procedure standardization and procurement performance in humanitarian organizations

Abstract

Purpose Procuring relief products and services is a challenging process for humanitarian organizations (HOs), yet it accounts for approximately 65% of relief operations’ costs (Moshtari et al., 2021). This paper aims to examine how procurement internal controls, materials and purchasing procedure standardization influence information integration and procurement performance. Design/methodology/approach In this study, partial least square structural equation models and multigroup analysis were used to analyze data collected from 170 HOs. Findings Procurement internal controls and material and purchasing procedure standardization fully mediate between information integration and procurement performance. Research limitations/implications The study focuses only on HOs. Since humanitarian procurement projects take place over a period of several years, it is difficult to capture the long-term effects of information integration, procurement internal controls, material and purchasing procedure standardization and procurement performance. In this regard, a longitudinal study could be undertaken, provided that the required resources are available. Practical implications Procurement managers should implement information integration practices within acceptable procurement internal controls and standardize material and purchasing procedures to boost procurement performance. Originality/value By integrating information through procurement internal controls and standardizing material and purchasing procedures, procurement performance in a humanitarian setting can be systematically optimized.