A buying center is a group of employees, family members, or members of any type of organization

responsible for finalizing major purchase decisions. In a business setting, major purchases typically
require input from various parts of the organization, such as finance, accounting, purchasing,
information technology management, and senior management. Highly technical purchases, such as
information systems or production equipment, also require the expertise of technical specialists. In
some cases the buying center is an informal ad hoc group, but in other cases, it is a formally
sanctioned group with specific mandates, criteria, and procedures. The employees that constitute
the buying center will vary depending on the item being purchased.