Abstract

This chapter consists of the background of the study, statement of the problem, purpose of the study, objectives to the study, research questions, and scope of the study, hypotheses, and significance of the study Background of the study I Historical perspective Business conditions during 1973-74 placed as much, if not more strain and pressure on the purchasing management function as has never occurred any time in the 20111 century. Critical material shortage, two digital inflation and arbitrary actions by • • government seriously interfered with the orderly operations of business and the economy. Many corporate management had been made painfully aware of the short comings of the operations of their firm's purchasing management function. Past indifference to proper placement of the function in the organization structure and failure to staff with competent professional buyers had proved to be costly oversights. Theoretical perspective Tapscot et al (2000) found that the health of any business organization in the 20th century depends on information about the world economy, global competition and suppliers. He continued by suggesting that managers require timely and accurate information from around the globe to maintain competitive advantage in organizational activities of purchasing, staffing and warehousing .In today's world, managers can access current information instantaneously through information technology and this has changed the way they do business. Conceptual perspective Patrick G. and MCkeown 2002 referred to information technology as all forms of technology applied to processing, storing and transmitting information in the electronic form and uses the following equipments of computer, network, extranet and website.