Evolving Sourcing Strategies for the 1990s

Evolving purchasing/sourcing strategies necessary for competitive success during the 1990s are identified. The strategies, identified by purchasing executives of leading‐edge Fortune 100 firms during field interviews and a Delphi process, reflect purchasing′s growing contribution to firms′ overall competitive performance. Also included is a discussion of supply base optimisation and total quality management at the supplier as necessary prerequisites for the implementation of increasingly sophisticated strategies which follow a progression to achieving an integrated set of purchasing strategies. There is also a discussion of the linkage between corporate and purchasing strategy.