PURCHASING MANAGEMENT OF BUSINESS SERVICES IN THE CONTEMPORARY KNOWLEDGE BASED ECONOMY

Over the last years many countries have turned into real service economies. As aresult the strategic importance of purchasing services has increased. This article aims topresent the complexity of the process of buying services. The article begins with findings fromthe literature review regarding the increasing importance of services in the contemporaryknowledge based economy. Next, we present the specific characteristics of services whichmake more difficult the process of buying services. Furthermore, the paper presents thefindings from three case studies. At the end of the paper we present the conclusions and therecommandations for managers about how they can improve the purchasing management ofservices.