In a(n) _____ buying center, there may be many participants, but one person makes the decision alone.

In a buying center described as autocratic, it emphasizes the structure where a single individual has the authority and responsibility to make purchasing decisions, regardless of the input or opinions from other participants involved in the process. This type of decision-making can often lead to faster decision-making since it does not require seeking agreement or consensus from a group.

An autocratic buying center can also be advantageous in situations where swift action is necessary or where the decision-maker has greater expertise than the group. The finality of having one decision-maker can streamline the purchasing process, especially in highly specialized fields or emergency situations.

In contrast, other types such as participative, consensus, or collaborative buying centers involve multiple participants in the decision-making process, which can complicate and lengthen the decision timeline. The distinctions among these types play a critical role in understanding how businesses approach purchasing decisions and the dynamics of team involvement in those decisions.