E-procurement and E-supply Chain: Features and Development of E-collaboration

The opportunity offered by digital technologies to make deep rationalization in purchase of supplies is becoming indispensable in competition between enterprises, considering positive effects in reducing the costs of the companies that have adopted the E-Procurement. As it has been confirmed by numerous case studies, automation of procedures for the purchase through e-procurement technology enables companies to achieve a reduction in costs (average 8-12%) of total purchases. So web-based models are playing a critical role within companies, especially in the generation of value of supply chain. This article focuses on the role of e-procurement within a supply chain showing, through simulations, the advantages and difficulties of implementing a systematic use of the Internet and defining the basic structure of an e-supply chain. (C) 2014. The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V.