Authors: 1Renas Ayebono Atanga, 2Eric Ekow T. Ghansah (Ph.D. Candidate), & 3Eric Boafo Dadzie
1&2Lecturer & 3Assistance Procurement Officer
1&3Takoradi Polytechnic, & 2Ghana Institute of Management & Public Administration
Email: renas_zong@yahoo.com
Abstract
The study sought to address the various strategies that can be deployed by organizations in gaining competitive advantage through sustainable procurement. Purchaser’s contribution to the sustainability and survival will show how purchasing help in meeting the needs of production. The research was aimed at examining the contribution of purchasing to the competitiveness, sustainability and survival of Unilever Ghana Limited; to determine how purchasing helps to meet the requirement of the production unit; to determine how the company buys industrial materials, equipment, supplies and services at the lowest cost whilst complying with acceptable standards of quality and delivery; to determine how commercial relationships have helped Unilever Ghana in the competitive world and finally to examine the cycle of activities involved in acquiring goods, works and services for the organization. This has proved beneficial enough to the extent that, data collected was analysed and conclusions was drawn based on the responses gathered which showed that the purchasing department has indeed contributed to the sustainability of Unilever. After the relevant data has been collected and analysed evidences proved beyond reseanable doubt that Unilever should use the focus type of the porter’s generic strategy by using geographical pricing strategies which will make sure that all the segments of the markets would be able to afford the price charged on products based on their income levels.
Keywords: Competitive Advantage, Sustainable Procurement
