Critical analysis (2500 words)
The digital revolution is changing the way how businesses operate. Similarly, customers are also demanding greater transparency into what they are buying as to how products are made, and the ethical and environmental repercussions of their transactions. Consequently, business corporations across various industries are taking a more holistic perspective by embracing visible commerce such as automating their finance and procurement processes. The concept of ‘digital procurement’ is gaining a lot of attention today where it is viewed as a process of using digital technologies to enhance the procurement function.
You are required to critique the literature on the topic of Digital Procurement. Based on the concepts, theories, research and arguments of what other authors have written, prepare a 2500-word (+/- 10%) discussion summarising the critical aspects, including the benefits and challenges of digital procurement, and showing your learning and opinion about the topic, as well as the contribution to strategic procurement. Use appropriate headings and sub-headings where necessary.
You are required to cite at least TEN sources of literature for this assessment. The preferred method of referencing is the UniSA Harvard Referencing system within context. An omission to include ten references or the incorrect use of the UniSA Harvard referencing system will result in a failure of the Referencing component.
Some useful resources(available on the learnonline website):
2017 Accenture Report – Next generation digital procurement
2017 Deloitte Report - Digital procurement: New capabilities from disruptive technologies
2019 Gartner Report – Procurement 2020: Your action plan to prepare now
2020 KPMG Report – Digital procurement: Driving a revolution in improved performance
2020 KPMG Report – Future of procurement
Barrad, S & Gagnon, S (2020), ‘An analytics architecture for procurement’,International Journal of Information Technologies and Systems Approach, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 73-98.
Clarke, A (2020), ‘Digital government units: What are they, and what do they mean for digital era public management renewal?’,International Public Management Journal, vol. 23, no. 3, pp XXXXXXXXXX.
Klunder, T, Dorseln, JN & Steven, M 2019, ‘Procurement 4.0: How the digital disruption supports cost-reduction in procurement’,Production, vol. 28, pp. 1-11.
Kosmol, T, Reimann, F & Kaufmann, L 2019, ‘You’ll never walk alone: Why we need a supply chain practice view on digital procurement’,Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management,vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 1-17.
Nicoletti, B 2020, ‘Procurement 4.0 and the fourth industrial revolution: The opportunities and challenges of a digital world’, Palgrave Macmillan, Springer Nature Switzerland AG (e-book)
Nougues, X, Mennesson, T, Scemama, S & di Vito, D 2017, ‘Digital procurement: From myth, to unleashing the full potential’, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Oliver Wyman (e-book)
Srai, JS & Lorentz, H 2019, ‘Developing design principles for the digitalisation of purchasing and supply management’,Journal of Purchasing and Supply Management’, vol. 25, no. 1, pp. 78-98.
Requirements for Assessment 1:
- Use Arial Font size 12 with 1.5 line spacing.
- Reference list on a separate page.
- Use the UniSA Harvard Style of referencing only (non-conformance will result in a failure of the referencing component).
- Do NOT use footnotes.
- Print word count at the end of your assignment (Allowable +/- 10%).
- Include your name and student ID as a header on each page.
- Number each page.
- Do not include anyCover Page or Feedback form in your submission.
Marking criteria and standards
- Understanding of the procurement-related topic.
- Ability to summarise critical aspects of the journals.
- Critical analysis showing learning and opinion formation.
- Contributions to strategic procurement.
- Presentation and referencing.
Definition of topic and key areas discussed (15 marks)
Presenting and summarising key aspects of the relevant literature (20 marks)
Critique of the literature/theory (20 marks)
Learning of the topic and contribution to strategic procurement (20 marks)
Referencing (15 marks)
Presentation (10 marks)
TOTAL 100 marks
Please also refer to the feedback proforma for details.