The global procurement function is currently navigating a period of unprecedented structural change, evolving from a transactional cost center into a strategic catalyst for enterprise growth and resilience. By the conclusion of 2025, an estimated 74% of Chief Procurement Officers (CPOs) will have integrated artificial intelligence (AI) into their core operations, supported by a procurement software market projected to surge to $9.5 billion by 2028. This evolution is not merel

Over the past several years, the evidence linking strong environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance with superior financial outcomes has grown strikingly consistent. Meta-analyses and empirical studies published between 2023 and 2025 reinforce earlier findings, showing not only that ESG initiatives matter for corporate sustainability, but that they are economically material.

Supplier ratings focus on external supplier behaviour, while maturity models assess an organisation’s internal capabilities to drive responsible sourcing over time. Tools like the Sustainable Procurement Maturity Tool (SPMT) help bridge this gap by evaluating an organisation’s readiness and capability to embed sustainability effectively.

Introduction: A Turning Point for SMEs Europe's 26.1 million SMEs represent the backbone of the EU economy (European Commission SME Performance Review, 2025), yet they face mounting pressure to demonstrate sustainability credentials. The Voluntary Sustainability Reporting Standard for SMEs (VSME), officially adopted by the European Commission on July 30, 2025 (EC Press Release IP/25/1843), marks a watershed moment for smaller businesses striving to integrate sustainability an

AI Is No Longer a Future Consideration—It’s a Present-Day Imperative In 2025, artificial intelligence has become the strategic engine of procurement, redefining performance, sustainability, and competitiveness. While adoption is accelerating among large enterprises, many SMEs risk being left behind. The question is no longer  if  you should act—but  how soon . Transformative Procurement Change 1. From Tactical to Transformational: AI in Action Across industries, AI is lifting

We are operating within an economic model that is no longer fit for the challenges of our time Neoliberal capitalism, anchored in the pursuit of endless growth, short-term profits, deregulation, and aggressive cost-cutting, has profoundly shaped how most organisations make decisions. It has delivered shareholder value, driven global expansion, and embedded efficiency as the highest virtue. But it has also left us with widening inequality, volatile supply chains, degraded ecos

Introduction As organisations worldwide accelerate their adoption of AI-driven procurement tools, the convergence of sustainability, ethics, and technology governance has never been more urgent. Today’s procurement leaders stand at a pivotal crossroads: the choices we make in leveraging technology will define not only our operational performance but our social and environmental legacy. This publication explores the latest global trends in AI procurement, the challenges we mus

Public procurement serves as a powerful instrument for innovation and sustainability, accounting for nearly 14% of the European Union’s GDP. Yet, despite its scale and transformative potential, procurement that truly drives innovation remains the exception rather than the norm.