Overview of procurement need specification and the organisation of supply chain processes to fulfil customers' needs in South Africa

Abstract

The article focuses on the procurement need specification of goods to support the operations of organisations, and how product supply chain processes are organised to fulfil customers' procurement needs. Ten methods of procurement need specification for business purposes are dealt with. Product supply chain processes are executed as either 'push' or 'pull', or 'push-pull' oriented. Each of the approaches is discussed. Summaries of (a) the characteristics of the push and pull portions of supply chains; and (b) the spectrum of supply chain responses to customer demands are supplied.