An exploratory study of Purchasing and Supply Management in Hong Kong industries

The importance of purchasing and supply management (PSM) for business performance has received considerable attention. However, academic research on PSM training and education is inadequate. This paper presents initial findings from PSM practitioners in Hong Kong about current PSM training and education needs. The study identifies top five trends, skills and knowledge areas for PSM professionals. The results show that the trends of PSM focus on purchasing cost reduction, the skills focus on negotiation and communication, and the knowledge on supply analysis and relationship management. The study also finds that companies tend to adopt on-the-job training for PSM staff but lack a systematic PSM training approach. This paper provides empirical evidence on the PSM environment and training needs.