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Research in business service purchasing: current status and directions for the future

Author

Listed:
  • Erik Hofmann

    (Institute of Supply Chain Management, University of St. Gallen)

  • Joël Henri Brunner

    (Institute of Supply Chain Management, University of St. Gallen)

  • Elmar Holschbach

    (South Westphalia University of Applied Sciences)

Abstract

This paper provides a systematic literature review and a future research agenda on the topic of purchasing of business services (BuSe). BuSe purchasing has increasingly gained in importance during the past years. It has established itself as a relevant sub-discipline in purchasing and supply management. This “state of research” paper identifies the main authors, relevant topics and practical implications as well as upcoming developments. For this purpose, 118 publications were collected and analyzed. While early research on BuSe purchasing was strongly influenced by the American marketing literature, more recent papers are also published by European authors and institutions coming from the core of the purchasing and supply management discipline. In general, the literature lacks in theoretical foundation and longitudinal methods while assuming high generalizability. Based on the analyses and additional discussions within the research team, directions for future research are identified at a political, economic, social and technological (PEST) level. The following trends for service purchasing were elaborated: (1) “Glocalisation” and near-shoring, (2) sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR), (3) internal and external collaboration, (4) value-driven contract and payment systems, (5) hybrid products and servitization, and (6) big data analytics, artificial intelligence and process automation.

Suggested Citation

  • Erik Hofmann & Joël Henri Brunner & Elmar Holschbach, 2020. "Research in business service purchasing: current status and directions for the future," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 70(3), pages 421-460, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:manrev:v:70:y:2020:i:3:d:10.1007_s11301-019-00172-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11301-019-00172-7
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Klara Granheimer & Per-Erik Eriksson & Tina Karrbom Gustavsson, 2022. "Adaptability in Public Procurement of Engineering Services Promoting Carbon Reduction: An Organizational Control Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    3. Abderahman Rejeb & Andrea Appolloni, 2022. "The Nexus of Industry 4.0 and Circular Procurement: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-21, November.
    4. Matthias M. Meyer & Andreas H. Glas & Michael Eßig, 2021. "Systematic review of sourcing and 3D printing: make-or-buy decisions in industrial buyer–supplier relationships," Management Review Quarterly, Springer, vol. 71(4), pages 723-752, October.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Systematic literature review; Buying; Procurement; Sourcing; Machine learning; Blockchain; Performance based contracting; Digitalization; Industry 4.0;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M10 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - General
    • L14 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Transactional Relationships; Contracts and Reputation
    • L24 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Contracting Out; Joint Ventures
    • L80 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - General

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