Electronic procurement systems in India: Importance and impact on supply chain operations

Abstract

Electronic Procurement Systems (EPS) are being acknowledged by researchers as promising technological enablers for achieving a responsive supply chain, and thereby, for gaining a competitive advantage in today’s global marketplace. A number of empirical studies have focused on the adoption of EPS in different countries. There is, however, a scarcity of work related to EPS adoption in India, even though information technology and the Internet play a significant role in that country. To fill this gap, we first discuss the potential supply chain benefits of EPS, especially as they relate to large multinational companies. Then, we specifically consider the Indian context. We highlight several firms whose innovative logistics operations permit the respective supply chains to function, uniquely blending Indian customs with modern business practices.We report on an empirical survey, as well as three case-studies relating to the importance and impact of EPS adoption in India.