The comparative assessment of suppliers in planning an organization

A reliable supplier means confidence in the future, particularly, in the crisis circumstances. As competition increases, the number of potential suppliers is constantly growing, and in this abundance of information, strategic decisions should be made about the criteria of selection of suppliers. While in the early stages of the country ’s economy development special attention was paid to the price and availability of goods in the warehouse of a supplier, the list of requirements to the provider has considerably increased nowadays. It includes trade credit, product range, availability of exclusive products or services, marketing projects, developmental plans of the supplier, transportation accessibility, reputation, good record as taxpayer. The article is devoted to the method of comparative assessment of suppliers as an integral part of the organization management system. This article substantiates the need for an integrated approach to evaluation of suppliers as well as defines the stages of the comparative assessment together with characteristics and criteria for selection of suppliers. It also stipulates factors that limit use of this approach.