Most scholars of purchasing and supply management (PSM) are familiar with some form of a purchasing process model (PPM). A PPM is the visual representation of the sequence of activities that ...constitute purchasing and supply management. Such a visual representation can be a tool in teaching PSM since it gives students an overview of an otherwise intangible process. Moreover, a PPM can also be viewed as a representation of the identity of PSM, providing a schema of what is PSM (and what it is not). In this notes and debates article, a systematic overview of different types of PPMs, and their evolution, is presented, based on a literature review and a survey, with the models being classified as tactical/operational, strategic, cyclical, or decision-making processes. Our first aim is to inspire PSM scholars and educators when they are considering various PPMs to be used in their teaching of PSM. Our second aim is to debate the question where the evolution of PPMs is heading and explore whether a single holistic model can provide an accurate and representative framework to structure purchasing activities both today and in the future.
•Provides an overview of purchasing process models (PPMs) currently used in teaching based on a literature review and a survey.•Provides inspiration for PSM educators when they are considering PPMs to be used in their teaching.•Raises questions for debate about the practice, identity, and evolution of PSM.
The conceptual framework for our analysis is the approach to environmental psychology first introduced by different authors in 1974. Subsequently in 1982 this concept was applied to retail outlets so ...as to better understand the effect on consumers of atmospheric stimuli experienced in a physical store. Following the developing trend from traditional marketing to new online sales channels, various authors have sought to transfer and validate these theories with virtual outlets or e-stores, so as to validate them in a context of e-commerce. Our study thoroughly analyses and reviews the most widely accepted models in the study of the influence of sales atmospherics on consumer behavior in physical store environments, and the adaptation and application of such models to today’s omnichannel shopper behavior, where shopping environments combine physical sales settings with new digital sales atmospheres.
PurposeThe aim of the study is to explore the possible practical impact of big data/business intelligence and Internet of Things on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers, and to ...evaluate its theoretical impact with a transaction cost economics approach.Design/methodology/approachAn exploratory multiple-case study was carried out, using qualitative content analysis and cross-case synthesis.FindingsCollaborative platforms and a new purchaser role were found to impact the entire process. In the strategic purchasing 4.0 process, co-creation of specifications, automated prequalification, and parameter-based negotiations are some expected changes. The operative purchasing 4.0 process is shaped by, for example, interactive call-offs. Transaction cost is expected to decrease by reduced uncertainty and supplier specificity, as well as by lowered information search, negotiation, and monitoring costs.Research limitations/implicationsThe description of a potential purchasing 4.0 process for premium automotive manufacturers is given.Practical implicationsPremium automotive manufacturers can develop strategies to push the existing standards of purchasing. Suppliers can create scenarios to allow for future compliance at the purchasing–sales interface.Social implicationsNew technologies' effects on the workforce are considered.Originality/valueNo identified study focused on the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the purchasing process of premium automotive manufacturers.
Purchasing is a fundamental step of materials procurement in the construction sector, and since materials can represent up to 70% of the project's construction costs, reducing wastage and improving ...productivity can have big benefits, both for the environment and the economy, especially for Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). This manuscript will focus on the process of purchasing materials from these companies' perspective, seeking to investigate the impact of effective materials management on site. In light of the acknowledged absence of system thinking for MSMEs, this research aims to build a new conceptual framework that illustrates the complexity of the materials purchasing process in construction and embodies the risks linked to materials, relationships, information and cash flows. The conceptual framework aims to influence supply management in construction and is based on the recognition of five main levels, going from the specification of materials to data management and feedback. It is designed to illustrate the sequence, logical structure and complexities of the purchasing process. Data from the literature, followed by on-site observations, feeds into the framework.
Purpose: This study is to analyze the purchasing process and distribution management requirements for teaching materials that have important meaning in the practical field of preschool education. ...Research design, data and methodology: A structured questionnaire was used to survey 103 childcare staffs regarding the purchasing process and distribution managements. The collected data underwent Likert's 5-point scale analysis and keyword grouping. Additionally, ANOVA was conducted to examine the distribution management demands based on demographic characteristics. Results: The purchasing of teaching materials involved more offline channels than online, and the purchase decisions were predominantly made by principals rather than teachers. Although the purchasing process is similar to that of general businesses, there are difficulties in purchasing due to the disorganized distribution channels and limited accessibility to product information. Additionally, the management of inventory for teaching materials is challenging due to limited personnel and storage. Childcare staffs have requirements for classification systems, evaluation criteria, environments and policies related to teaching materials distribution. The need to introduce a teaching material evaluation and certification system to ensure quality was not high. Conclusions: Most of the respondents recognized that strict management and measures should be taken for the distribution of teaching materials. here were differences in the demand of teaching material distribution depending on the respondents' status, age, education, and experience. KCI Citation Count: 0
The Internet has the potential to fundamentally change the structure of marketing channels, but only if consumers choose to adopt electronic channels. Thus, this paper aims to develop a more nuanced ...understanding of consumer channel choices. Specifically, it contends that it is important to examine consumers' intent to adopt electronic channels, not as a monolithic decision, but as a choice they make at each of four stages in the purchase process: requirements determination, vendor selection, purchase, and after-sales service. Innovation diffusion theory suggests that consumers make adoption decisions based on their perceptions of the relative advantage of the innovation. The relative advantage of electronic channels is conceptualized as a multidimensional construct involving a cumulative assessment of the perceived relative merits of channels on three dimensions: convenience, trust, and efficacy of information acquisition. Combining the multidimensional nature of relative advantage with the multistage purchase process, the central assertion, and intended contribution, of this paper is to show that the relative advantage of electronic channels, and the influence of each dimension of relative advantage on the adoption of electronic channels, will vary across the different stages of the purchase process. Survey data were collected from faculty and staff at a large university about their intention to use the web for auto insurance transactions. The results provide support for the multidimensional nature of relative advantage, although the emergent factors do not align neatly with the hypothesized dimensions (convenience, trust, and efficacy of information acquisition) or stages. Results of the study support three conclusions. First, the dimensions along which consumers assess relative advantage blend hypothesized dimensions such as trust and convenience with stages of the purchase process. Second, consumers consider the relative advantage of channels at two distinct stages of the purchase process: gathering information and executing the transaction. Third, different dimensions of relative advantage are critical in predicting consumer channel choice at each stage.
Companies are increasingly scrutinized by various audiences and are made accountable not only for their internal practices, but also for their suppliers’ behavior. Many purchasing managers and ...executives are not accustomed to seeing the purchasing function receive so much attention from different parties. As a result, a number of them do not know how to embrace the trend toward socially responsible buying (SRB). The present paper offers a helping hand by (1) shedding some light on the nature of SRB and (2) explaining how companies can incorporate social responsibility criteria into their purchasing decisions.
PurposeThis study aims to examine consumers' purchasing and consumption behavior regarding big data embedded in packaged food post-Covid-19. The second purpose is to determine whether consumer ...purchasing behavior varies depending on the variety and volume of big data on food packages.Design/methodology/approachSemi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate consumer sentiment regarding big embedded data in packaged foods during purchasing. Based on samples from packaged foods sold in international chain stores, interview data collected from 24 participants were subjected to systematic analytical procedures.FindingsThe results revealed that before Covid-19, consumers had positive thoughts about the expiration date, brand, and product contents but did not care much about other data. At the same time, post-Covid-19, there were changes in their attitudes and behaviors on this issue. Post-Covid-19, it has been observed that consumers have positive attitudes and behaviors toward human health and food safety issues regarding unprocessed big data in packaged foods.Originality/valueThis study provides a different perspective on consumer purchasing behavior through big data on packaged foods post-Covid-19. Embedded information in packaged foods provides important data regarding consumer purchasing behavior. As a powerful source of consumer sentiment, this data also provides a reference for consumer purchasing decisions.
Purpose
This study aims to observe different purchasing and evaluation phases during the buying of business services, thus revealing the necessity for integration of different entities during the ...purchasing process.
Design/methodology/approach
On the basis of a systematic analysis, explorative case study methods involving five Swiss multinational companies are used. In addition, the study provides a structured literature review and uses the short-term perspective of the industrial marketing and purchasing (imp) approach as a conceptual approach.
Findings
In addition to specific and business service-related difficulties, the research observes different phases “levels of integration” within the evaluation process that takes place within a company: a preparation phase, an acquisition phase and an operational phase.
Research limitations/implications
The study is limited to a qualitative research approach addressing five cases from Switzerland. However, assuming the results are generalizable, future research on service evaluation should always differentiate between the different phases of an evaluation.
Practical implications
It is shown that for practitioners, social, financial, service and informational exchange (as per imp approach) is closely related to an adequate integration of all involved entities during the different phases of purchasing. Therefore, this research provides practical support for the purchasing process to ensure highly efficient business services.
Originality/value
As there has been almost no research on business service evaluation, this paper is the first work known to extend the short-term perspective of the imp approach by addressing the different purchasing phases of an integrated service evaluation.
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