Strategic Thinking in Purchasing and Supply Management (PSM)

Strategic thinking is widely regarded as a critical capability for creating value and navigating uncertainty in purchasing and supply management (PSM). Despite its recognized importance, the concept remains fragmented, ambiguously defined and insufficiently understood. This book addresses this gap by developing and empirically validating a comprehensive model of strategic thinking in PSM. Drawing on the claims for “business-not-as-usual” (BNAU) research, this study follows a rigorous mixed-methods design by integrating conceptual, theoretical and empirical perspectives to uncover the dimensions, mechanisms and functioning of strategic thinking and its impact on performance. In this way, the findings of this study demonstrate that strategic thinking is a multidimensional competence comprising distinct but interrelated thinking patterns that contribute significantly to performance. By bridging the gap between academic rigor and relevance and managerial significance and originality, this book advances scholarly understanding while providing evidence-based guidance for PSM professionals. It offers valuable insights for researchers, executives and practitioners seeking to strengthen strategic orientation and enhance long-term value creation in PSM.