Closing the Knowledge Gap: Implementing Effective Sourcing Guidelines for Non-Professional Stakeholders
Mattila, Pauliina (2025)
2025
All rights reserved. This publication is copyrighted. You may download, display and print it for Your own personal use. Commercial use is prohibited.
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051612444
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2025051612444
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis is to improve knowledge sharing concerning sourcing and purchasing processes within the case company. Purchasing within the case company is decentralized, allowing any employee to make indirect purchases. The aim of this thesis is to close the knowledge gap regarding the sourcing and purchasing processes outside of the sourcing function and find ways to extend this information across different functions within the organisation.
This thesis was conducted using an action research methodology, primarily utilizing qualitative research methods, including document analysis and questionnaires that were used to carry out the current state analysis. The theoretical framework addresses key topics such as sourcing, tactical versus strategic sourcing, risk management, maverick buying, and closing the knowledge gap – which are typically linked to non-compliant purchasing practices.
The development part of this thesis focuses on improving knowledge sharing within the case company. The researcher gathered and analysed all the relevant information about sourcing and purchasing processes, and the outcome was the implementation of one information source for the company that would be available globally for all of the internal stakeholders. The thesis provided valuable insights to the case company, and addressed the practical challenge that the company had been facing for quite some time. The thesis also included development proposals for the company with recommended actions to consider in the future in order to monitor and keep developing this topic.
This thesis was conducted using an action research methodology, primarily utilizing qualitative research methods, including document analysis and questionnaires that were used to carry out the current state analysis. The theoretical framework addresses key topics such as sourcing, tactical versus strategic sourcing, risk management, maverick buying, and closing the knowledge gap – which are typically linked to non-compliant purchasing practices.
The development part of this thesis focuses on improving knowledge sharing within the case company. The researcher gathered and analysed all the relevant information about sourcing and purchasing processes, and the outcome was the implementation of one information source for the company that would be available globally for all of the internal stakeholders. The thesis provided valuable insights to the case company, and addressed the practical challenge that the company had been facing for quite some time. The thesis also included development proposals for the company with recommended actions to consider in the future in order to monitor and keep developing this topic.