Procurement respectively procurement management in companies has received a significant boost
in importance in recent years. The increasing outsourcing of services to suppliers and the
simultaneous commissioning of international suppliers have changed the tasks and professional
profile of buyers in terms of their contribution to corporate value creation. Without
procurement management (purchasing management) corporate strategies and the achievement of
sustainable competitive advantages can no longer be achieved. Procurement has become a central
success factor in the company. Thus the knowledge of procurement management and the skills of
the buyers form an essential pillar for entrepreneurial decisions and strategies. Knowledge of
the basic interrelationships of procurement management is and will be a natural part of any
training and further education. This book provides a fundamental contribution by showing and
explaining the central elements and interrelationships. It is suitable for the introduction to
procurement management and therefore a helpful reading for students and practitioners.
