Factors Influencing the Improvement of Procurement Processes and Cooperation with Suppliers

Purpose: The paper aims to indicate universal factors influencing the improvement of the procurement processes and cooperation with suppliers. Design/Methodology/Approach: The paper analyzes supply and purchasing processes in selected enterprises. On this basis, an attempt was made to identify, assess, and verify factors in the surveyed companies that affect the processes of supply and cooperation with suppliers. Findings: To analyze the causes of problems in the studied objects, well-known qualitative tools and methods were used, such as the Ishikawa diagram, the PDCA method or the Pareto-Lorenz diagram. The obtained results indicate a reduction in the level of defectiveness, greater efficiency of processes because of the elimination of delays or reduction of costs on both sides of the supply chain. Practical Implications: Considering the factors that are worth paying special attention to, when auditing the supply chain, managers of the procurement process and those responsible for cooperation with suppliers can achieve better economic results, reduce delays and eliminate errors related to delivery. At the same time, it may contribute to reducing costs both among suppliers and recipients of inventories and positively affect the subsequent cooperation. Originality/Value: The results achieved by suppliers and their impact on customer processes may indicate the effectiveness of the actions taken and the desirability of the tools used. The reduction of defective products obtained by one of the surveyed companies from the initial 25% to approximately 4% can be described as a success achieved thanks to open cooperation.