This paper explores the business issues affecting the level of implementation of e-procurement in small and medium size enterprises (SMEs). It uses empirical research from 750 organisations to suggest that issues of leadership and waste management are of greater importance to SMEs than development of e-procurement capability to secure competitive advantage. A major barrier is that of people. Those who have developed e-procurement capability have done so strategically, but have yet to enjoy significant cost and time savings. The research also identifies the management implications of effective e-procurement. Finally, the author suggests steps which might be necessary in seeking to achieve further progress in e-procurement implementation. This paper has implications for theory development and for practitioners.
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