A mixed-methods approach to identifying buyers' competencies for enabling innovation

Purchasing and supply management (PSM) plays a pivotal role in increasing overall competitiveness as buyers interact with innovative suppliers and internal teams. The competence-based view encourages buyers to specialise in a few core competencies, but less is known about the range of competencies needed for innovation. Thus, this article aims to understand the individual competencies that PSM professionals need to bring added value to innovation. To address this gap, our research is first based on the findings of the state of the art. Then, mixed-methods research is conducted. It consists of exploratory analysis based on five in-depth case studies including 23 interviews complemented with an extended survey of 138 PSM professionals highly experienced in innovation. These professionals rated the importance of 31 competencies, out of which 18 were revealed thanks to the qualitative phase. The results of the second phase highlighted and expanded some competencies known and shown new ones.