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Table of Contents

Declaration. 2

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.. 4

1.1 Background of the Study. 4

1.2 Problem Statement 5

1.3 Research Aim.. 5

1.4 Research Objectives. 5

1.5 Significance of the Study. 5

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW.. 6

2.1 Adopted theoretical models. 6

2.2 Review of Current Literature. 6

2.2.1 Sustainable sourcing in Oman Oil and Gas Sector Supply Chains. 6

2.2.2 Sustainable Sourcing Features of P2P System.. 7

2.2.3 Impact of Implementing P2P on Sustainable Sourcing. 7

2.2.4 Improving sustainable sourcing in the oil and gas supply chains. 8

2.4 Conceptual Framework. 9

2.5 Research Gap. 9

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY. 10

3.1 Suggested Methodologies. 10

3.2 Research Justification. 10

3.3 Data Collection Methods and Data Analysis Techniques. 11

3.4 Future Work Timeline (Research Plan) 11

3.4.1 Gantt Chart Analysis. 11

3.5 Possible Challenges and Mitigation Measures. 12

3.5.1 Possible Challenges. 12

3.5.2 Mitigation Measures. 12

3.6 Ethical Statement 12

References. 13

6.0 Appendices. 17

6.1 Appendix 1: Summary of P2P Steps. 17

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the Study

In the recent past, Procurement to Pay (P2P) has attracted immense popularity in different organisations and sectors (Ramos, 2024); (Pelkonen, 2024) and (Långström, 2021). For Oman oil and gas industry, in 2023, an estimation of the revenues was at $26.1 billion informed by average oil price of $55 per barrel with oil and gas sector attracting 53 and 14% of the overall revenues (Administration, 2024). For improved efficiencies and sustainability in their supply chains, Oman oil and gas sector can prioritise on investing on P2P system. This is line with the Net-Zero Emissions Strategy as they are progressing to achieving net-zero emissions (OmanLNG, 2024). The need for an efficient supply chain is further underscored by report on expected oil output decrease by 2024 with 3.3%. A summary of SWOT analysis is illustrated in the following;

Table 1: SWOT Analysis Summary (Author)

Despite of multiple research works focusing on integrating sustainable sourcing and improving efficiencies of supply chain networks, limited focus is evident on the relevance of P2P system. This research will focus on developing an elaborate analysis of application of P2P system in Oman oil and gas. Also, impact of implementation of P2P on sustainable sourcing will be evaluated (Pelkonen, 2024).

1.2 Problem Statement

The issue to be evaluated in this report is need for sustainability and efficiency in supply chain networks Post-COVID pandemic and economic downturn (Özatay, 2020). There lack appreciation of success of P2P system in supply chain is an impediment to enhancing efficiencies of Oman oil and gas sector and improved efficiencies (Rentizelas, 2020). Past studies have majorly delved on stakeholders’ relationships and embracing 3Ps Model of sustainability which looks at people, planet and profits (Mishra, 2024). Specifically, there lacks any research work which have directly pursued an evaluation and detailed analysis of P2P system implementation.

1.3 Research Aim

This research aims to investigate the impact of Procurement-to-Pay (P2P) on sustainable sourcing in the oil and gas supply chain in Oman.

1.4 Research Objectives

The significance of this research study would include;

1. To explore the objectives of sustainable sourcing in Oman oil and gas sector supply chains.
2. To identify the sustainable sourcing features of P2P System.
3. To access the impact of implementing P2P on sustainable sourcing in Oman’s oil and gas supply chain.
4. To propose recommendations for improving sustainable sourcing in the oil and gas supply chains.

1.5 Significance of the Study

Most of the past studies in sustainable sourcing have focused on adoption issues from end-user context (Ramos, 2024). The concept of P2P system and its impact on sustainable sourcing has not attracted immense focus in modern research. Hence, this research is significant since it will offer new theoretical perspective on the P2P system on sustainable sourcing. The identified findings would form background for future research in this area.

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1 Adopted theoretical models

In this research, theoretical framework will play a critical role in guiding the direction to evaluating the problem. According to (Varpio, 2020), a theoretical framework is embraced not to develop a summary of already existing research in an area of focus. However, its intention is grounding relevant studies and provide a reader with detailed sense of theoretical approach in a situation identified for studying. In this research, the theoretical framework include strategic sourcing theory and resource-based view theory. The link of strategic sourcing theory with P2P is informed by (Singh, 2020) findings that sustainable sourcing enhance costs savings, increased profits, procurement operations and strong organisation performance. Similarly, procurement-to-pay integrate purchasing and accounts payable systems for creating increased efficiency. Similarly, for Resource-Based View Theory, (Davis, 2021) note that sustainable sourcing enhance integration of organisation and economy for sustained competitive advantage. For P2P system, it offers organisations with economies of scale allowing costs reduction, more production for less and eventually leveraging on competitive advantage.

2.2 Review of Current Literature

2.2.1 Sustainable sourcing in Oman Oil and Gas Sector Supply Chains

From the reviewed literature, the concept of sustainable sourcing has been adequately researched. P2P is defined as a strategy for integrating purchasing and accounts systems for creating fully automated systems (CIPS, 2024). From a broad context, (Ekechukwu, 2021) defines it as a “process for selecting suppliers while putting into account social, ethical and environmental performance”. In a slightly different approach, (Pathak, 2024) focusing on food industry and embracing Triple- Bottom line identified it as an undertaking for reducing environment implication, improving social input and compliance with regulations. The definitions are different in context of oil and gas sector where identify sustainable sourcing as prioritising on profitable growth while concurrently prioritising on delivering social, environment and economic results (Pathak, 2024). The studies which have evaluated this concept include (Ekechukwu, 2021); (Ramos, 2024) and (Ramos, 2024) which identify the capability of increasing efficiencies and offering immense visibility to the procurement and supply chain. These findings are nevertheless distinct from (Ogbu, 2024) using the relational view theory evaluating sustainable sourcing in Oman oil and gas identified the process as purchase of goods and services with minimum negative implications on the environment in their entire lifecycle.

2.2.2 Sustainable Sourcing Features of P2P System

According to (Ramos, 2024), P2P system used for ensuring an organisation has access to their supplier of preference with negotiated costs with limited necessity for manual paperwork and interventions. In Oman oil and gas industry, this assists in reduction of errors and consolidation of manual process.
The studies with similar findings include (Ramos, 2024); (Ekechukwu, 2021); and (Krasikov, 2023) identifying existence of various sustainable sourcing features of P2P System. Similarly, according to (Ekechukwu, 2021) the sustainable sourcing discovers and select the suppliers whose commitment is on achieving sustainability. Hence, with the sustainable sourcing involving a process of selecting the right/most fitting supplier, P2P actualises the process. As evidenced in (Krasikov, 2023), as part of P2P, they can embrace sense-making, data collection, and data reconciliation to make a decision on the sustainable organisation operations. Depending on the results of sustainable sourcing, it is possible making approvals of all suppliers promptly, freeing resources, controlling and improving spend and maximising the overall value of sourcing negotiations (Ogbu, 2024). Therefore, sustainable sourcing is a major feature of the P2P system owing to the integrated characteristic of their operations.

2.2.3 Impact of Implementing P2P on Sustainable Sourcing

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