US Global Sourcing: Patterns of Development

Abstract

Describes the results of a survey returned by 97 purchasing managers who were asked to assess current patterns of global sourcing as practised by North American firms. Some of the issues examined include primary sourcing allocations, supplier evaluation criteria, operational performance measures and costs, managerial problems, and modes of communication. The results point to the importance of linking supplier selection criteria with corporate strategic initiatives in the evaluation of international sources.