The dimensions of purchasing competence: a synthesis from literature

Abstract

Organizational buying behavior has been dramatically changing due to transformations on the nature of industrial competition. This changing environment implies great demands to companies to remain competitive. As firms recognize the purchasing function as an important resource for obtaining high quality levels, fast deliveries and cost savings, it reveals opportunities for the purchasing management to become a business key contributor. This paper presents a critical literature review concerning the new strategic role for purchasing. We develop a construct of purchasing competence using three dimensions identified from literature: purchasing interaction, purchasing importance, and purchasing task execution.