Citation:
Alan Smart, E-procurement and its impact on supply management - evidence from industrial case studies, International Journal of Logistics: Research and Applications, Volume 13, Number 6, December 2010, Pages 423–440.
Abstract:
Many buying firms have adopted e-procurement systems, yet the impact of these
applications is still being assessed by both academics and practitioners alike.
This paper examines the use of e-procurement within four multinational firms, to
establish the impact of these mechanisms on their approach to the supply market,
using thematic parameters derived from the literature. The results indicate that
these firms established a clear supply market strategy based on a segmentation
model: e-procurement tools were used as tactical means to implement and extend
that strategy towards the supply base. In addition, it was observed that tactics
within defined segments are developing, as buying firms use e-procurement tools
both to reduce supplier numbers and to leverage their volumes in price-
competitive markets. Various propositions are offered on the key themes,
summarising the findings in the paper and providing further indications for
research.