Originally published in 2002, the revised third edition of the Gower Handbook of Purchasing and Supply Management views procurement as standing on the boundary of the firm, looking outwards and scanning the environment for new opportunities and threats. In this respect, as in many others, the new edition is quite different from the previous two, reflecting the many changes that have taken place for businesses over the years. In particular this edition has been slimmed down and focused to assist the reader by working systematically outwards using a purchasing lens to view the wider business world. The aim is to show the potential contribution that purchasing can make as a driver for organizational efficiency and business development. It is this latter requirement, the need for purchasing to generate revenue, that has been identified as being ever more prominent as a demand on purchasing directors’ time and effort.

The book is now split into three sections. Part I lays the foundations for building the organization of purchasing in a corporate environment. Part II overlays further applications on the foundations of purchasing organization. The assumption is made that the purchasing activities of a firm are proactive in outlook, gathering knowledge and measuring their current corporate purchasing performance, while also looking to generate revenues for the business. Finally, Part III provides case studies which bring to life some of the learning achieved through the framework laid out in the previous parts.

Written by leading practitioners and academics, and published in association with The Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Valerie Lee is Associate Professor of English and Women's Studies at Ohio State University.