The Evolving Role of Strategic Sourcing in Enhancing Organizational Competitiveness: A Contemporary Review

Strategic sourcing has evolved into a critical organizational capability that influences competitiveness, operational resilience, and value creation. In today’s volatile global market, organizations must adopt sophisticated sourcing practices to manage risks, leverage supplier innovation, enhance cost efficiency, and strengthen supply chain continuity. This paper provides a comprehensive academic review of the evolution of strategic sourcing, theoretical foundations, digital transformation drivers, and its contemporary role in enhancing competitiveness. Using a conceptual and qualitative approach, the paper synthesizes relevant literature and identifies emerging trends that shape strategic sourcing’s future trajectory. Findings suggest that organizations that embrace data-driven sourcing, supplier collaboration, and sustainability-oriented frameworks are better positioned to achieve long-term performance advantages.