A Two‐step Model of Influence in Group Purchasing Decisions

Abstract

Explores antecedents of individual influence in organizational purchasing decisions made by buying centres. Proposes a two‐step model whereby individual influence is a function of decision‐specific variables such as expertise, interest and personal stake in the decision. The decision‐specific variables are affected, in turn, by demographic characteristics and psychological traits of the individual. Proposes a new method which improves on past research; this method allows for the assessment of influence as it is manifested in buying centre decision making. The two‐step model is generally supported based on the path analysis results.