The global purchasing challenge : A look back and a look ahead

Abstract

Despite the critical and still increasing importance of purchasing in a majority of globalizing industries, international purchasing remains a neglected research field. To date, it is largely unclear how the international context impacts on purchasing internationalization and organization, and how international purchasing brings return to the company. The aim of this special issue is to compile state-of-the-art research on the topic of global (international) purchasing. In this guest editorial, we look back at the roots of the field and look forward to the contributions in this special issue.