Global Trends in Corporate Procurement amid Digital Transformation and ESG principles
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62911/ete.2025.03.02.01Keywords:
corporate procurement, supply chain, digital transformation, ESG, green transition, business, procurement management, organizational resilience, sustainable development.Abstract
This article identifies and systematizes the global trends shaping corporate procurement in the context of digital transformation and the growing importance of ESG principles in strategic management. The analytical basis of the study draws on the consolidated results of an international survey conducted by the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, which covered 122 organizations from different countries and allowed for a comprehensive assessment of the current state, challenges and transformation vectors of the procurement function. The findings demonstrate that procurement increasingly moves beyond its traditional operational role and becomes a strategic driver of business resilience and sustainability, influencing cost management, supply chain transparency and long-term value creation. Digitalization is shown to be the key catalyst of this transformation. The adoption of artificial intelligence, advanced analytics, cybersecurity solutions and supplier relationship management systems enhance transparency, predictive accuracy and the overall quality of decision-making. Although full digital integration is still characteristic of only a small proportion of companies, the majority are undergoing active technological modernization, gradually shifting towards data-driven and automated procurement models. Simultaneously, the principles of sustainable development and ESG are becoming embedded in procurement policies and practices. Organizations increasingly prioritize environmental criteria, ethical sourcing, labor standards and responsible supplier behavior, recognizing their impact on corporate resilience and stakeholder trust. The integration of ESG processes strengthens institutional sustainability and redefines performance metrics within supply chains. The study concludes that the synergy between digitalization and ESG represents a defining direction for the evolution of modern procurement. Their combined influence sets new standards for responsible, transparent and analytically supported supply management in the global economy, positioning procurement as a central mechanism for achieving long-term corporate sustainability and strategic competitiveness.
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