Implementing best purchasing and supply management practices : lessons from innovative commercial firms / Nancy Y. Moore ... [et al.]. - xxvii, 201 pages : illustrations ; 28 cm - Documented briefing / RAND ; 334 . - Documented briefing (Rand Corporation) ; 334. .

"RAND Project Air Force."

Includes bibliographical references (p. 185-201).

Because the U.S. Air Force spends over one-third of its budget on nonweapons purchased goods and services, such purchases are a prime target area in which to seek performance improvements and cost savings. Prompted by a need for improved performance from its supply base, the Air Force has become increasingly aware of the advantages of using market research, contract consolidation, supply base rationalization, and other leading purchasing and supply management (PSM) practices in its dealings with suppliers. To aid the Air Force in its PSM efforts, RAND examined how innovative commercial firms implement such practices in their purchases of goods and services. After a review of the academic and trade literature, the study team conducted a series of elite interviews using a structured questionnaire to gather primary data from "best in class" commercial firms. The key findings are that (1) innovative commercial firms are moving to a strategic, goal-oriented approach to PSM, (2) implementing new PSM practices can take a number of years and often requires significant, permanent change throughout the organization, and (3) the Air Force needs strategies to sustain continuity of support for serious PSM change from one leadership team to the next.



0833030078

RAND/DB-334-AF

Online only

2002401351


United States. Air Force --Inventory control.
United States. Air Force --Procurement--Evaluation.
United States. Air Force --Rules and practice--Evaluation.
United States. Air Force --Supplies and stores.


Business logistics.
Inventory control.
Purchasing--Management.


Electronic books.

HD39.5 / .I47 2002