Suppliers as stakeholders: the development of partnership sourcing in the UK

Chronicles that though suppliers have always been regarded in the past as stakeholders, little has been said of involving them until now. Looks at the Confederation of British Industry's (CBI's) collaboration with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), in setting up a not‐for‐profit organization called Partnership Sourcing Ltd, whose purpose was to help UK companies understand and implement the process of partnership sourcing. Highlights that partnership sourcing, herein defined, involves both customer and supplier working together to secure the best possible commercial advantage in equal amounts for both sides. Advocates that the CBI and DTI in setting up their collaboration believe that UK business can gain much in learning and using this form of collaboration.