Applications of Information Technology Systems at Purchasing Department in Cairo Five Star Hotels

The aim of the current research is to investigate the use of computer technologies and their diffusion within the purchasing department as well as to identify the factors influencing computer technologies adoption in Cairo five star hotels sector. The study population was co mprised all five-star hotels in Greater Cairo. To determine the sampling frame, a list of (33) hotels was obtained from the Egyptian Hotel Gu ide, 29th Edit ion (2008_ 2009). So the sampling frame consisted of (33) purchasing managers who were selected fro m the five-star hotels in Greater Cairo. The pilot study was performed before the interview questions was finalized or conducted. In order to test the survey instrument, three hotels purchasing managers and some academics were involved. Data required to serve the study collected fro m questionnaire menu designed to this purpose by using personal interview method called (semi structure interview) conducted with purchasing managers in five-star hotels in Greater Cairo. Out of (33) hotels in Greater Cairo, (31) hotels (93.8%the average response rate) accepted to conduct interview with the researcher. But just two hotels had apologized to conduct interview with the researcher. Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16 was used to analyze data collected fro m 31 enterprises. Findings showed that there was a strong support towards computer technology adaptation and making purchasing activities mo re effective in terms of both time and cost, and changing the way of purchasing products in businesses. But most of purchasing departments in the hostels being surveyed highlighted that computer technology applications are still under the desired standard, so they are difficult to be applied. Results also revealed that the purchasing departments suffered fro m a lack of purchasing standardization across hotels, and it is observed that there were some barriers, which had both high driving power and dependency and therefore need more attention. Specific reco mmendations were suggested concerning the issue being researched.