In the introduction to the newly published Critical Issues Report titled, ‘Operational Excellence in Procurement’, the author states that, “No matter what aspect of purchasing, supply, or supply chain activities you are engaged in, most would agree that a fundamental key to ultimately implementing best practices is having solid operational processes in place.” The report examines how procurement and transaction activities can be optimized across a broad spectrum of operational activities and organizational structures, and includes three case studies that relate to operational excellence best practices at three large global firms.

Click on the following link to read the Critical Issues Report titled, “Operational Excellence in Procurement”, which includes case studies that focus on best practices at three large global firms: Operational Excellence in Procurement

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Recently, CAPS Research completed a benchmarking report for the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Services Group membership. The report’s survey was patterned after the highly successful CAPS Research Cross-Industry Benchmarking Report and includes information about company demographics, professional development, supplier relationships and alliances, financial metrics, and other miscellaneous information that could be of value to anyone interested in comparing their data to this diverse group of companies. For example, data from the survey indicate that the average transaction fee for contracted travel services is $29.50 when the 3rd party provider assists in making reservations and only $8.00 when the 3rd party provider does not assist the traveler in booking reservations.

To access the detailed narrative report, click on the following link: ISM Services Group Narrative

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Tapping the cost reduction potential of emerging supply markets such as China has become an ever more important element of internationalization strategies across industries. A CAPS Research PRACTIX report takes you through a typical four-step approach to identify capable suppliers in China. The four steps are product analysis, supplier identification, supplier selection, and supplier evaluation.

To access the PRACTIX report, “Identifying and Evaluating Chinese Suppliers: China Sourcing Practices of German Manufacturing Companies”, and read key insights into successful supplier identification and evaluation from 18 personal qualitative interviews with executives with sourcing operations on the ground in China, click on the following link: Identifying and Evaluating ChineseSuppliers: China Sourcing Practices of German Manufacturing Companies

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For more information about CAPS Research programs and products please contact us at Research@capsresearch.org.

Sincerely,
Phillip Carter, D.B.A.
Executive Director
CAPS Research

CAPS Research is a global research organization jointly sponsored by the W. P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University, and the Institute for Supply Management™.