Because of the difficulties of empirical success factor research, this article chooses a two-part qualitative approach. It summarizes the results of a benchmarking study that was
conducted by a consortium of 12 multi-national companies from Germany and Switzerland. During the benchmarking process that took place between March and September 2000, 120 questionnaires were distributed, ten telephone interviews were conducted, and finally five successful practice companies were selected and analyzed in detail. The article analyzes implemented e-procurement solutions and identifies factors that the companies surveyed cited as important requirements
for the successful use of e-procurement systems in their organizations.