What Are the Determinants of the Attitude of Civil Servants Toward Using e-Public Procurement?

Abstract

Civil servants are the main users of e-public procurement applications. Their attitude toward using the new system is a crucial element for its successful implementation. However, few studies focused on this topic in public administration research. To address this question, the author examines the digitalization of public procurement in Belgium. He relied on a mixed quantitative-qualitative methodology. The findings showed that six factors were validated quantitatively and qualitatively as having significant influence on the attitude of civil servants, namely perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, training, resources, position of the hierarchy, and clients' attitudes. The author concludes with theoretical and practical implications as well as an agenda for future research.