Title: The perceived impact of e-procurement in EU enterprises

Authors: Maria P. Aslani, Lambros G. Laios, Socrates J. Moschuris

Addresses: Defense Business Development Department, INTRACOM Defense Electronics, Markopoulou Ave., 190 02, Peania, Greece. ' Department of Industrial Management and Technology, University of Piraeus, 80 Karaoli and Dimitriou Street, 185 34, Piraeus, Greece. ' Department of Industrial Management and Technology, University of Piraeus, 80 Karaoli and Dimitriou Street, 185 34, Piraeus, Greece

Abstract: During the last decade, electronic procurement has acquired a great number of supporters. Internet-based procurement applications have significantly improved the overall supply chain operation. There is a lot of research regarding the effects of such applications on supply chain management. However, very little research exists regarding the organisational impact of such applications. In order to fill this gap, research was made within the framework of a European research project. More specifically, a questionnaire was designed and distributed to a number of industrial firms in six European countries. The results of the study suggest that respondents perceive a positive impact of e-procurement applications on issues such as employees| satisfaction, job formality, work and business relationships. The perceived impact on these issues varies among companies, depending on such variables as country, number of employees and sales turnover, and is not overshadowed by the e-tech sophistication of the subject companies.

Keywords: e-procurement; e-business; European enterprises; perceptions; organisational impact; EU; European Union; electronic business; online procurement; electronic procurement; employee satisfaction; job formality; work; business relationships.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVCM.2008.017741

International Journal of Value Chain Management, 2008 Vol.2 No.2, pp.168 - 187

Published online: 28 Mar 2008 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article