A first research PhD project addresses the way in which large companies organise for purchasing synergy. Based on literature, explorative case studies and a survey, it is hypothesised that the ways to realise purchasing synergy are dependent on:

a) the business environment
b) business structure
c) business strategy
d) purchasing maturity.

Based on these hypotheses, a model has been developed which has been tested through six in-depth case studies within various large firms in the Netherlands. Additionally, a mail-survey has been carried out among 150 Dutch companies to verify and validate the results from the case studies. This project has resulted in the PhD thesis ‘Creating Corporate Advantage in Purchasing’ by dr. Frank Rozemeijer.