Explain how a lack of understanding of a global supplier's culture and ethical behavior could cost buying organization money.
Correct Answer:
Organizational culture is made up of behaviors, traits, values and beliefs and these differ signifi-cantly across the globe. Gestures that may be positive in one country can be highly offensive in another. This culture could mean; for example, individualistic/collectivistic, masculine/feminine, uncertainty avoidance, power distance, Time perspective, indulgence/restraint. When negotiating and forming contracts within the extended supply chain, it is important that the culture of the suppliers is understood to be compatible with the buying organization or else their might be loss of reputation, time, money material and equipment. Also, being not aware of what is an acceptable ethically behavior in global sourcing can cost a buying organization. In some countries, bribery and kickbacks are a standard part of doing business. If procurement professional is not aware of the fact that some countries methods of doing business involves or expect kickbacks, for example, this could be costly to the organization and cancel out any savings that had originally been seen. Cost of poor quality and rework: if the product or service quality is poor the organization may not satisfy it customers and this can lead to a loss of reputation in the market. For example, a residential building construction company contracting a supplier that supply would require home owners to reinstall a new door within three months. The organization would spend more funds in carrying out rework. More administrative cost in contract management: an organization will have to manage it sup-pliers and the contracts to ensure they are delivering what they were contracted to do. A poor con-tract management is a waste in the process of delivery that can lead to loss of money. Also, to cor-rect this would cost the organizations administrative cost.
Question 17
Explain with examples three differences between offers and invitation to treat.
Correct Answer:
An offer is created when one party communicates to another or to multiple parties that they wish to enter into a legal binding agreement in accordance with the terms stated, for example; a company in promotion advertising for buyers to buy one and get one free, an offer is a buying organization communicating to a supplier to supply X number of goods and be paid x amount upon delivery at company premises, an offer is when a football club proposes to pay X amount to a player if agrees to play for them for a month. An offer can be legally banded if accepted, whereas invitation to treat does not. An invitation to treat is just an invitation from one party to another to begin negotiations with the intention of creating an offer. If an offer is made without stating terms, this becomes an invitation to treat, for example, an invitation to treat is when a pharmacy displays a drug in its shelf. An invitation to treat can be linked to a request a buyer send to suppliers asking them for specific information.
Question 18
Explain the concept of the 3Ps/TBL and how it can be used by an organization.
Correct Answer:
Trying to measure how sustainable an organization was used to be challenging undertaking. How-ever, during the 1990s, a concept brought up by American John Elkington change the way sustainability was measured. This framework is known as the triple bottom line (TBL) and measures sustainability in relation to organizational performance and investment against the 3Ps (1) Profits (2) People (3) Planet. For example; Profit: A packaging manufacturer reinventing its profits in a State- of-the-art recycling machinery for it wasted cardboard. People: A large privately owned call center donate its end of life computers to a local youth clubs and social groups to help gain internet cases. Planet: A driving instructors using only hybrid vehicles to teach her learners, thus to reducing Co2 emission. The TBL, although a useful tool, is simply a way of recording how sustainable an organization is. Alone, it does not contribute towards any improvements or generate any actions promoting a more favorable, sustainable outlook. Objectives should be set in relation to what the 3Ps show and then monitored by implementing KPIs or other measuring methods.
Question 19
What are the ILO and ETI?
Correct Answer:
ILO stands for International Labour Organization- It is a United Nations agency whose mandate is to advance justice and promote decent work by setting international labor standard. ETI is Ethical Trading Initiative: It is a leading alliance of companies, trade unions and NGOs that promote respect for workers right around the globe. Its vision is a world where all workers are free from exploitation and discrimination and enjoys condition of freedom, security and equity.
Question 20
Think of a supply chain with which you are familiar and distinguish between the primary, second-ary and tertiary sector organization within it.
Correct Answer:
Supply chain involves a network of individuals, organizations, technology activities and resources to make sure goods or services flow along the chain. If one point fails, every part further along the chain fails. Fullpower projects (a flour manufacturer) supply chain begins with producers (raw materials, wheat farmers), suppliers, manufactures, distributors, retailers and end users (customer). Fullpower projects supply chain falls within the primary sector (producers of wheat), the secondary sector include the manufacturing (those that converts the wheat the suppliers brings into flour) and tertiary sector (the distributor those that takes the wheat to the end users).