Factors Influencing the Optimal Selection of Suppliers in the Telecommunication Sector in Ghana

Abstract

The selection of an optimal supplier has a positive impact on business performance, help reduce costs and promote innovation. With few studies especially in the study of services on the selection of optimal suppliers in Ghana, this paper examines the determinants of vendor selection among the four largest telecommunication companies in Ghana. These companies are MTN, Tigo, Vodafone and Airtel. The paper applied quantitative and qualitative methods based on primary and secondary data. Purposive sampling technique was used in order to segment the study population. A descriptive analysis was performed to examine the factors and their impact on the choice of suppliers. The results indicated that the quality, experience, price, safety and time affect the selection of suppliers. The study recommends that if the cost element should be taken seriously, the quality should not be sacrificed for cost reduction.

Keywords: Telecommunication, Optimum, Selection, Sampling.