Leverandørpræference

Leverandørpræference refers to the act of favoring one supplier over others when making purchasing decisions. This preference can be based on various factors, including price, quality, reliability, established relationships, or specific product features. In a business context, it can manifest in several ways. Companies might have long-standing contracts with certain suppliers, leading to a natural preference due to familiarity and trust. Alternatively, a preference might be actively cultivated through supplier relationship management programs designed to reward preferred partners with more business or better terms.

The decision to establish a supplier preference can be strategic. By concentrating purchasing volume with a few key suppliers, a company might achieve economies of scale, leading to lower unit costs. It can also simplify procurement processes and improve supply chain efficiency. However, an overreliance on a limited number of suppliers can introduce risks, such as vulnerability to supply disruptions if a preferred supplier experiences problems. It can also stifle innovation by limiting exposure to alternative solutions offered by other vendors.

In public procurement, supplier preference systems are sometimes used to promote specific policy objectives, such as supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or encouraging the use of environmentally friendly products. These systems typically award additional points or preferential treatment to bidders who meet certain criteria, thereby influencing the selection process beyond purely economic considerations. The implementation and impact of supplier preference are therefore complex, involving trade-offs between efficiency, risk management, and broader policy goals.