Samenvatting

Suppliers are crucial for the Dutch central government to achieve its societal tasks. Annually, the Dutch central government purchases €15.2 billion worth of products, services and works. Dealing adequately with suppliers to achieve the intended goals is important for every professional in the role of client, purchaser or contract manager. However, knowledge on how public organisations, and the Dutch central government in particular, develop and execute supplier relationship management is limited. The Public Procurement professorship conducted a qualitative, exploratory study into supplier relationship management at procurement organisations of the Dutch central government. The practice of supplier relationship management was explored in three graduation studies and ten semi-structured interviews. It appears that supplier relationship management at the Dutch central government is still nascent, diffuse and diverse. Supplier relationship management is not yet consciously implemented and exercised. It is clearly a field in development and would benefit from further professionalisation.