The purposes of this research were to; (a) identify useful information source; (b) assess the usefulness of the Internet as an information source; and (c) assess the degree of Internet utilization for purchasing process in food service industry. The results were as follows;
1. ´personal experience and colleague recommendation´ was perceived as the most useful information source, whereas the most frequently used source was ´Internet web site´ for real purchasing practice.
2. the most frequently used purchasing activity through Internet was ´online ordering´, followed by ´gathering produce/component information´, however e-marketplace or Internet bidding were less performed by Internet.
3. acquisition of real time information, rapidity, accuracy, and increasing effectiveness of purchasing process were reported the advantages of Internet utilization.
4. respondents somewhat or strongly agreed with the importance of Internet in terms of present and future purchasing management.
The results of the research suggest that Internet should be able to improve purchasing process and enhance buyer-supplier relationship directly or indirectly, therefore food service industry should consider making attempt to new purchasing systems through Internet for strategic sourcing and effective procurement management.
|