Strategic Procurement in the Digital Era: A Conceptual Framework for the Development of Integrated Procurement Techniques

Abstract

This academic article aims to: 1) analyze and synthesize concepts related to strategic procurement within the context of the digital era; and 2) propose an integrated framework for the development of procurement techniques. A systematic literature review and conceptual synthesis were employed as the research methodology. The findings reveal that procurement has transitioned from an operational activity into a strategic mechanism that plays a vital role in value creation and organizational competitiveness. However, prior literature and organizational practices still exhibit fragmented development, resulting in a lack of a framework that systematically explains structural relationships. Consequently, this article proposes an integrated digital procurement framework grounded in the Resource-Based View (RBV) of the firm, which comprises four essential dimensions. Within this framework, the technology dimension serves as an antecedent, the data capability dimension acts as a mediator, the procurement strategy dimension functions as a direct predictor, and the human capability dimension operates as a moderating context. This framework not only bridges the academic gap in explaining causal relationships but also serves as a practical guideline for organizations to systematically evaluate and enhance their efficiency, agility, and competitiveness in the digital age.