Title: Choosing an organisational form: the case of collaborative procurement initiatives

Authors: Elmer Bakker, Helen Walker, Fredo Schotanus, Christine Harland

Addresses: Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath School of Management, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. ' Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath School of Management, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK. ' Department of Operational Methods for Production and Logistics, University of Twente, Capitool 15, P.O. Box 217, 7500 AE Enschede, the Netherlands. ' Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply, University of Bath School of Management, Claverton Down, Bath, BA2 7AY, UK

Abstract: This paper deals with different organisational forms of collaborative procurement and provides insight into when to use which form. Different forms from the literature are compared with empirical examples to give an overview of forms, which are then described in terms of strategy, skills and organisation. Whilst acknowledging variations, the paper distinguishes between two main forms: virtual networks and third-party organisations. Using empirical data and four theoretical perspectives (transaction cost economics, resource-based view, contingency theory, agency theory), the paper reflects on when which form can be used and presents an overall framework to help choose an organisational form.

Keywords: collaborative procurement; organisational forms; theoretical frameworks; virtual networks; third-party organisations; transaction cost economics; resource-based view; RBV; contingency theory; agency theory.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPM.2008.017527

International Journal of Procurement Management, 2008 Vol.1 No.3, pp.297 - 317

Published online: 13 Mar 2008 *

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