Evolution and revolution in the global knowledge economy: Enhancing innovation and competitiveness worldwide

Abstract

Organization change is often thought of as a contemporary issue. However, areas of the management discipline have developed and changed over time, one of the lesser known being procurement, which can be defined as "the art and science of buying and supply". Over the past twenty years this discipline has attracted international interest because of its growing importance as organizations increasingly outsource. Its management status has consequently changed in many organizations - in government as well as business. This paper sets out a brief international history of the discipline with the aim of uncovering elements that have implications for current management practice. The management advantages of adopting the progressive features of this former clerical function conclude the paper.