Impact of Business Ethics and Corporate Governance on Various Aspects of Public Procurement within Urban Local Authorities in Zimbabwe

Abstract

This study is an assessment of the impact of business ethics and corporate governance on various
aspects of public procurement within urban local authorities. Guided by the agency theory, the
research aimed to establish how adherence to ethical guidelines and governance principles
influences procurement outcomes. Through a quantitative research design involving the
distribution of a questionnaire to procurement managers, the study unravelled both positive and
negative effects of business ethics and governance on procurement processes. A sample size of 323
participants out of a target population of 2000 using Raosoft sampling technique were randomly
selected from 5 urban local authorities in Harare Metropolitan Province. The study found a
negative relationship between business ethics, and transparency and accountability in
procurement, suggesting that as adherence to business ethics decreases, transparency and
accountability tend to decrease. The study also found that strong corporate governance practices
may lead to increased efficiency in procurement processes. In conclusion, the study emphasized
the importance of a balanced approach that takes into account contextual factors when
implementing ethical standards and governance principles in public procurement