Sourcing strategies in procurement involve connecting data collection, market research, spending Analysis, contracting, and negotiation. Even though the sourcing strategy’s main aim is to leverage a single, integrated system that enhances profitability, it is customized to meet the need of consumers. There are various current and upcoming trends in e-procurement and sourcing strategies. Consequently, the following research aims at assessing the current or upcoming trends in e-procurement and purchasing information systems. Additionally, it aims at evaluating current or forthcoming trends regarding Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in procurement. Lastly, the following research will focus at assessing the current trend regarding Contract Management.
Process Automation
Direct sourcing, indirect sourcing, and service sourcing are the three types of procurement. Companies plan to model their current acquisition process and recognize crucial places (Azadegan & Dooley, 2021). Additionally, they plan to select the best sourcing automation tools and create sourcing automation workloads.
Characteristics
The Rich-analytical Suite: Robotic process automation (RPA) software includes a robust analytics suite for assessing the strength of the robot employees. The use of the program enhances Security-If firms heavily rely on automation, a large number of users will certainly require access to the RPA product. User-Friendly Bot Creation Interface: RPA tools enable bots’ quick and easy creation by capturing mouse clicks and mouse clicks with constructed built-in screen elements.
Advantages
Power automation enhances firms’ efficiency. It is faster in the course than humans, operates all day, collects data on everything it does, and improves accuracy by helping remove significant human errors from various approaches. Moreover, it boosts productivity by handling repetitive tasks to bots working longer than humans. Consequently, it solves wasted time presented by the productivity paradox where more technology slows processes as people spend most ties on learning apps. Process automation saves firms money.
Errors can be costly, but utilizing RPA robotic systems minimizes the possibility of human error in a firm’s procedures since a bot completes duties in the very same way every human is conditioned (Lin et al., 2020). Fewer errors save money and alleviate some of the strain on the human workforce by enabling them to waste less time dealing with the fallout of those inconsistencies.
Disadvantages
Process automation, on the other hand, has some drawbacks. First, amidst the potential social advantages of reskilling staff members for other professions, in almost all cases, the employee whose task has been taken over by a robot experiences emotional distress. Aside from being evicted from the task, the employee may also be displaced. A person may have to resettle to find other work, another cause of tension.
Increased Transparency Trend
Characteristics
The characteristics associated with this trend are anticipation, observation, and realization. To implement these concepts effectively to increase transparency, firm managers have to know what to expect. They should observe what they are informed to anticipate and examine the goals they wish to achieve. Additionally, Renewable Technology, Global Businesses Operating Regionally, and Equality and Diversity are also Increased Transparency trends.
Advantages
- As a company grows, increased transparency aids in advancements. As a company grows and relies on its team members to make sound decisions, it must access its information.
- Greater transparency leads to greater justice by removing inequity and unfairness. A corporation can also be open to receiving feedback; firms that practice accountability receive far more input on their decisions. They try to incorporate all of the reviews and make changes.
Disadvantages
- Recognizing the possibility that information will be distorted or misrepresented. Acknowledging that disclosure may necessitate considerable time and effort and slower firms’ practices.
- It is aware that institutions that exercise complete transparency may be susceptible to threats, especially from clusters that feel underreported or distanced.
- Embracing that learning how to manage accountability while keeping some data secret can be difficult.
Accelerated Digital Transformation
Characteristics
There is a strong emphasis on customer satisfaction. In most cases, digital transformation begins with a thorough understanding of consumers. While this should be true in any firm, decisions in a fully digitized institution are based on truth – the data generated by processes. Well–defined, standardized, and straightforward process management are present (Lin et al., 2020). Successful digital transformation must have well-defined organizational efficiency.
Advantages
- It leads to improved data security. Most companies amass mountain ranges of consumer data, but the actual advantage comes from maximizing this data for the study that can propel the company forward.
- Digitalization establishes a structure for collecting the correct data and fully integrating it for higher-level data analytics.
- A firm also has better resource management.
Disadvantages
Digitization leads to crime and terrorism, complexity, social disconnect, privacy concerns, overreliance on machines, and problems related to organization and storage.
In conclusion, the above research has evaluated the current purchasing information systems trends, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in procurement, and contract management. The study has shown how sourcing strategy leverages a single, integrated system that enhances profitability, as it is customized to meet the need of consumers. The study has also depicted that strategic procurement sourcing incorporates market research, contracting, data collection, negotiation, and spending.
References
Azadegan, A., & Dooley, K. (2021). A typology of supply network resilience strategies: Complex collaborations in a complex world. Journal Of Supply Chain Management, 57(1), 17-26. Web.
Lin, F., Shi, J., Wu, P., & Zhuo, X. (2020). Complexity retailer’s optimal procurement strategy under supply disruption and stochastic demand: Backup sourcing or simultaneous sourcing, 2020, 1-15. Web.