Purchasing and the Learning Curve: A Case Study of a Specialty Chemicals Business Unit
通过一家特种化学品业务单元的案例，发现超过80%的总成本降低来自原材料成本节约，强调了采购在学习曲线研究中的重要作用。
SUMMARY This article presents a case study of the learning curve in a specialty chemicals business unit. Even though the learning curve literature has largely ignored the effects of purchasing, over 80 percent of the total cost reduction in this study was the result of raw material cost savings. The purpose of this article is to highlight the important role played by purchasing in the study of the learning curve. This study was conducted when the author was a business manager in the subject company which allowed for complete access to data, personnel, and company documents. This “insider's position” was a critical factor in uncovering the sources of cost reduction in this business unit. Cost data for 221 products produced by this business unit were evaluated using the learning curve. Cross‐sectional differences in learning rates were analyzed to determine the sources of cost reduction. Cost reduction efforts had the most success when the business unit was able to identify and prioritize the cost reduction opportunities and then apply the proper type and level of resources.