Technological and administrative innovation to optimize small-value acquisitions. A case study in a public ecuadorian company

Abstract

This research analyzes the inefficiencies of the small-scale procurement system of a municipal public company that provides telecommunications, drinking water, sewerage, and sanitation services. The central problem is related to the CGWEB module, an administrative and financial management platform used to process requisitions, purchase orders, and budget control, whose procedures present delays, duplication of manual tasks, data entry errors, and limited interdepartmental integration, all of which affect institutional efficiency. The objective of the study was to propose an optimization model that combines technological and administrative innovations aimed at digitalization, automation, and monitoring of the procurement system. The methodology adopted a mixed approach, which included documentary analysis, surveys applied to 81 employees from different areas of the institution, and semi-structured interviews with internal leaders. The results show that the main problems perceived are insufficient training, scarce feedback on requests, and the urgent need to automate processes and generate real-time reports. Preliminary findings suggest that the incorporation of digital innovations reduces human errors, improves interdepartmental coordination, shortens approval times, and strengthens transparency. It is concluded that the proposed model constitutes a replicable strategy to optimize small-scale procurement processes in public entities, increasing efficiency, sustainability, and institutional trust.