The efficacy of a Queensland based purchasing training course: Views of participants

This study addresses the degree of satisfaction of participants who have completed purchasing training courses within a Certification System and the extent that the objectives of these courses align with participants' work needs. This research is relevant by contributing to two organisations. It also provides future application to the specific industry in which the research is situated as purchasing processes are similar across private sector, public sector and non profit sector.

The development of the research strategy for this study was an iterative process as research questions were developed and refined as part of routine work practices. The choice of methodology was driven by the researcher's desire to meet managers' and business researchers' expectations that problem solving efforts should relate in clear statements of research questions and research objectives. This was important as this research is focused on an investigation where the outcomes provide information concerning a specific training intervention for those in the workforce with purchasing responsibilities.

The results from the research provided evidence that people who have completed the courses have recognised that there is both a learning and a career pathway for those with purchasing responsibilities. This recognition is desirable if purchasing, as a function in organisations is to be more strategic in its focus. The training courses of the Certification System meet the needs of purchasing staff and the training has begun to impact on the culture in the public sector.

A tangible outcome of this research has been the development of a questionnaire to collect data about courses and the System. This questionnaire has been used in the field and is now available for future use to conduct further studies that can add to the sample selection and further articulate the level of sophistication of the role of purchasing as a strategic function in organisations.

The trans disciplinary perspective of this research has offered the prospect of generating relevant knowledge and skills and new ways of solving problems for the purchasing field (CQU 2002). The application of the findings and use of the questionnaire developed as part of the research begin to link the worlds of business, work and education. Whilst the findings from this research are specific to the actual context, they may be used to inform considerations of potential stakeholders.