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Definitions
“CIPS Australia motivated a debate on an agreed procurement lexicon. The following statements were proposed:
Procurement is the business management function that ensures identification, sourcing, access and management of the external resources that an organisation needs or may need to fulfil its strategic objectives.
Procurement exists to explore supply market opportunities and to implement resourcing strategies that deliver the best possible supply outcome to the organisation, its stakeholders and customers.
Procurement applies the science and art of external resource and supply management through a body of knowledge interpreted by competent practitioners and professionals.
[…]
The author provides two more definitions of procurement.
Procurement is a pro-active, strategic corporate activity to ensure a continuing supply of goods and services to enable world-class organisational performance.
Procurement manages supply chain risks through the effective negotiation of contracts, cost and price models, quality and other essential supply characteristics.” (Lysons & Farrington, 2016)
To supply the organisation with a flow of materials and services to meet its needs.
To ensure continuity of supply by maintaining effective relationships with existing sources and by developing other sources of supply either as alternatives or to meet emerging or planned needs.
To buy efficiently and wisely, obtaining by ethical means the best value for every pound spent.
To maintain sound cooperative relationships with other departments, providing information and advice as necessary to ensure the effective operation of the organisation as a whole.
To develop staff, policies, procedures, and organisation to ensure the achievement of these objectives.
(Baily, Farmer, & Crocker, 2015)