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Unfruitful cooperative purchasing : A case of humanitarian purchasing power

Ala Pazirandeh (Department of Industrial Management and Logistics, Lund University, Lund, Sweden)
Heidi Herlin (Department of Marketing (Supply Chain Management and Corporate Geography), Hanken School of Economics, Helsinki, Finland)

Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management

ISSN: 2042-6747

Publication date: 6 May 2014

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the impact of cooperative purchasing on buyers’ purchasing power. Purchasing in the humanitarian sector has traditionally been characterized by a low level of coordination due to inter-agency competition for funding, diverging mandates and other organizational differences. Relationships with commercial suppliers have also remained arm's-length and often dormant due to high levels of uncertainty and strict public procurement rules and regulations. However, recent pushes for increased efficiency and effectiveness are driving humanitarian agencies toward cooperative purchasing – a purchasing strategy that is claimed to be highly beneficial for members of the purchasing consortium not least for its ability to increase buyers’ purchasing power. In reality, the effectiveness of the strategy in increasing purchasing power is unclear.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study a single case of several humanitarian organizations aiming to increase their leverage in buying freight forwarding services by joining forces.

Findings

Following several incidents during the process, the cooperative purchasing initiative did not contribute to increased power in the case. It was found that in addition to increased volumes, the effect of the strategy on other sources of power such as interconnections is also of importance.

Research limitations/implications

The research is limited to the boundaries of a single case study including the perceptive view of respondents interviewed.

Practical implications

The findings of the study provide insights for organizations aiming to practice cooperative purchasing.

Originality/value

The findings of the study provide insights for organizations aiming to practice cooperative purchasing.

Keywords

  • Public-private partnerships
  • Relationship management
  • Humanitarian logistics
  • Public procurement
  • Inter-organizational co-ordination
  • Supply chain co-operation
  • Buying freight forwarding
  • Cooperative purchasing
  • Less powerful buyers
  • Pooling demand
  • Purchasing power

Citation

Pazirandeh, A. and Herlin, H. (2014), "Unfruitful cooperative purchasing : A case of humanitarian purchasing power", Journal of Humanitarian Logistics and Supply Chain Management, Vol. 4 No. 1, pp. 24-42. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHLSCM-06-2013-0020

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Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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