Moving into P2P payments could upset this partnership, and lead PayPal to remove itself as a Credits purchasing method.
Increased efficiency in purchasing methods has curtailed unintentional inventory buildup, Mr. Huether said.
He said G.M., which has improved its manufacturing and purchasing methods and has asserted its industry power by driving heavy discounting at the retail level, was one of the few automakers with enough capital to take design risks in the North American market.
Many innovative ideas for searching sources, purchasing methods, lean supply chain systems, marketing alliances, and the like are good examples for this type of innovation.
Nissan offers customers various purchasing methods, including a financing program that allows consumers to pay and then a monthly fee of, which includes electricity costs.
"The F.B.I. purchased the method from an outside party so that we could unlock the San Bernardino device," said Amy S. Hess, executive assistant director for science and technology.
And George Goodall, of the Canadian-based IT solutions group, Info-Tech, agrees that "the miracle of iTunes" is a sensible purchasing method.
In partnership with telecom company MTN, Fenix launched ReadySet in 2012 and, late last year, began offering a "pay as you go" purchase method for home lighting.
In some countries, including Great Britain, the so-called hire-purchase method is widespread, especially in sales to consumers.
Under the purchase method, which is more commonly used in Europe, one company must be designated the acquirer.
