Learn how advanced auctions can drive smarter sourcing.
This book introduces a forward-looking approach to multi-attribute RFQs that helps buyers learn supplier costs and set fair, effective scoring rules.
In a practical guide grounded in auction theory, the author shows how inverse optimization can uncover how suppliers value non-price attributes. The work explains how a buyer can gradually reveal preferences, adjust scoring rules across rounds, and improve utility — all while maintaining a structured, transparent RFQ process. The discussion stays close to real-world procurement needs for single-item purchases and Internet-enabled markets.
- Understand how multi-attribute auctions balance price with factors like lead time, quality, and supplier reputation.
- See why learning suppliers’ cost functions matters and how it informs scoring rules.
- Explore how round-by-round adjustments can maintain competitiveness without harming bidders.
- Learn practical considerations for transitioning from traditional RFQs to dynamic, online procurement tools.
Ideal for readers involved in industrial procurement, sourcing strategy, or software design for e-marketplaces seeking a rigorous, implementable framework.