Key takeaways

• The complex role of the chief procurement officer (CPO) now faces emerging economic and political risks in every direction they turn — and they feel pressured to cut costs along the way.
• This year’s survey saw a spike in responses not previously top of mind: a potential economic downturn and the “trade war.” External risks are gaining the attention of CPOs, even more so than continually pressing internal risks, like digital transformation.
• Thinking digitally, CPOs are focused on analytics, while AI and blockchain — technologies driving the Fourth Industrial Revolution — are of little focus and are not being utilized at scale.

Why it matters to business leaders

Make no mistake: CPOs are facing a challenging global business landscape and reacting accordingly — yet many do not feel prepared to ta