How purchasing became a strategic function: from purchasing to external resources management

Purpose This paper aims to show the most important evolutions of the purchasing function. Design/methodology/approach This paper is a historical approach. Findings Purchasing is becoming more and more strategic. Research limitations/implications New skills are required for buyers. Originality/value This paper aims at explaining the evolution of purchasing which is the most evolving function in companies today. By becoming more and more strategic, purchasing contributes to the evolution of all the company.