Purchasing Behaviour in Local Government in the United Kingdom Available to Purchase

An empirical study based on the buying behaviour of local authorities in the UK. A taxonomy of local authority is outlined and buying centres identified. The stages in the buying process are discussed and differentiated from the stages associated with the private sector. In particular, the communication flow between local authorities at the product selection stage are a distinguishing characteristic. Voluntary consortium purchase does not occur to any great extent so that purchasing decisions are unco‐ordinated and fragmented when viewed on a national basis.