Procurement

About: Procurement is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 25669 publications have been published within this topic receiving 334145 citations.

Electronic Commerce: Three Emerging Strategies

Abstract: Electronic commerce is fulfilling its early promise for business-to-business trade. Marketplaces that connect buyers and sellers are up and running in many product categories, and are creating value by making trading more efficient. The experience of early participants suggests that an electronic marketplace can capture savings of 10 to 20 percent on sales and deliver lower prices for buyers.(*) The rewards are split three ways. Sellers can reach more customers, gather better information about them, target them more effectively, and serve them better. The marketplaces also create value for the third-party intermediaries that organize some of them. Intermediaries can earn transaction commissions and fees for value-added services such as information capture and analysis, order and payment processing, the integration of buyers' and sellers' IT systems, and consulting services. The best rewards go to buyers, however. Able to compare products and prices easily, they will compel suppliers to compete more fiercely than ever. The potential value at stake is enormous. Take the US maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products business - including items ranging from brooms and light bulbs to simple motors - which is worth $300 billion. If the electronic marketplaces rapidly emerging in the industry came to harness even 10 to 20 percent of these sales, and reaped the same process cost and price savings as the earliest electronic marketplaces - that is, 10 to 20 percent - the industry could see value creation worth $3 to $12 billion. Similarly, in the combined PC and low-end networking products industry, $2.5 to $5 billion is at stake. A battle between buyers, sellers, and intermediaries to capture this value seems inevitable; furthermore, the conditions for winning it are already evident. It is therefore time for businesses to consider how they might participate in electronic marketplaces to create value for themselves and prevent it shifting to competitors. Three models There are three types of marketplace: those controlled by sellers, those controlled by buyers, and those controlled by neutral third parties (EXHIBIT 1). Marketplaces controlled by sellers are usually set up by a single vendor seeking many buyers. Its aim is to create or retain value and market power in any transaction. The corporate Web site set up by Cisco Systems, for example, enables buyers to configure their own routers, check lead times, prices, and order and shipping status, and confer with technical experts. The site generates $3 billion in sales a year - about 40 percent of the company's total. Exhibit 1 Types of electronic marketplace Seller controlled Information-only vendor Web sites Vendor Web sites with online ordering Buyer controlled Web site procurement posting Purchasing agents Purchasing aggregators Nuetral Industry/product-specific search engines Information marts (structured access to vendor and product information) Business malls (multiple vendor store fronts) Auction spaces In addition, by publishing technical documents on line and giving customers access to order information, Cisco saves $270 million annually in printing expenses, order and configuration errors, and telephone-based technical support. Its online market may also increase customer loyalty by speeding up ordering and order status checking. Buyer-controlled marketplaces are set up by or for one or more buyers with the aim of shifting power and value in the marketplace to the buyer's side. Many involve an intermediary, but some particularly strong buyers have developed marketplaces for themselves. Japan Airlines, a big purchaser of in-flight consumable items such as plastic rubbish bags and disposable cups, posts procurement notices on line in order to find the most attractive suppliers. …

Behavioral Operations and Supply Chain Management–A Review and Literature Mapping

Abstract: Behavioral operations research has proliferated greatly over the decade since its first formal review in 2006. The growth of the field warrants an objective mapping of contributions to the literature and the identification of trends. We conduct a systematic review of the literature of behavioral operations and supply chain management (BOSCM) across eight key operations and supply chain management journals, with publication dates through the end of June 2018. Collected articles are categorized into 12 operations contexts as well as emerging topic considerations. Key research trends, theoretical foundations, and methodological choices are discussed in each context. The results show that supply chain management, inventory management, and procurement/auctions have been the most popular operations contexts for BOSCM researchers. The results of our co-citation analysis shows that the fundamental research areas that have informed and shaped the field include supply chain risk management, marketing, cognitive psychology, and social psychology. Based on these findings and a survey of the most prolific authors in the field, we discuss possible avenues for future research.

Estimating and Tendering for Construction Work

Abstract: Estimators need to understand the consequences of entering into a contract, often defined by complex conditions and documents, as well as to appreciate the technical requirements of the project. Estimating and Tendering for Construction Work explains the job of the estimator through every key stage, from early cost studies to the creation of budgets for successful tenders. This new edition reflects recent developments in the field such as new tendering and procurement methods; the move from basic estimating to cost-planning and the greater emphasis placed on partnering and collaborative working. It also includes changes to pricing, rates, terminology and technology to bring the book completely up-to date.Clearly-written and illustrated with examples, notes and technical documentation the book is ideal for students on construction-related courses needing to understand these essential processes or professionals beginning in industry.

Factors influencing global supply chain efficiency: implications for information systems

Abstract: Gaining a competitive advantage in international supply chains requires matching the value‐adding activities of a chain with the unique comparative advantages offered by diverse nations that make up the chain. To do this, a supply chain manager must identify and control the factors that influence the performance of the chain in each of the three areas, namely, procurement, processing and distribution. Controlling these factors requires, among other things, setting up suitable information systems. This article provides a checklist of factors and offers suggestions for international supply chain managers to gain competitive advantage.