Scenario 1
According to the Institute of Supply Chain Management, the supplier should refrain from all conducts and behaviors that seem to influence the supply chain management decisions. Therefore, in this case Bryan Janz should not accept the clock gift since Mr. McEnroe actions would influence the supply chain management decision. It would prevent Bryan from making rational and justified decisions in regard to supply chain management. Mr. McEnroe sent the clock addressed to Bryan’s wife since he knew that Bryan could not accept such offers from him. In addition, he wanted to seek indirect means through which Bryan could be persuaded to do business with him. The closest person in this case, was his wife and Mr. McEnroe seemed to use gifts, which would be pleasant to her. The mere act of sending the clock by Mr. McEnroe does not constitute an unethical conduct; rather the intent with which the gift was sent is what is unethical in the case.
Scenario 2
The institute of Supply Chain Management code of ethics and standards upholds that the supplier and the customer should avoid improper reciprocating agreements. Therefore, the practice by Troy Smyrna can be termed as unethical since Assurance Technologies may have installed its system through proper engagements with Sealgood Instruments competitors. Therefore, Assurance Technologies have all the right to use the competitor’s products and Troy Smyrna should not use the avenue to influence supply chain management decision. The term used for this conduct and behavior in supply chain management is reciprocity, where the parties in the engagement should avoid improper reciprocity.
Lisa should uphold her earlier decision that the organization will continue to use competitors’ products, even though it could cost her organization the significant sale. This is due to the fact that, the use of the competitor’s products was not associated with the current dealings with Sealgood Instruments. Lisa’s response to Troy Smyrna should be based on the fact that the organization would have to distract its operations to accommodate his proposal. In addition, she should let Troy Smyrna understand that the current sale agreement was not related with the use of designs from its competitors. Rather, the current agreement is based on competitiveness of Assurance Technologies quotation in terms of price, quality and cost.
Scenario 3
The conduct and practice by Ben Gibson can be analyzed as legal. This is due to the fact if the contract between Coastal Products and Southeastern is based on competitiveness based on price and quality. Therefore, Coastal is free to give the contact to the highest bidder. However, it is not ethical since Ben Gibson tells Jeff that he should ensure that Southeastern are well aware of the fact that Coastal is seeking other suppliers. Making the suppliers aware that their competitors were being engaged was a move employed to influence decision making on supply by Southeastern. However, Southeastern should ensure that they are able to develop good relationships with their customers.
The conduct of the sales man sent by Southeastern to Coastal led to the constrained relationship between Ben Gibson the manager at coastal. The sales man should ensure that they communicate only things that ensure that the supplier- customer relationships are upheld and developed. Southeastern is the only trusted supplier by Coastal, and they should ensure that the relationship between them is not constrained for the proper conduct of business. On receiving a quotation request from Coastal Products as the manager, I would treat the request as any other request and send the quotation to the Coastal. This is to ensure that the engagement between the company and Coastal Products is based on ethical and legal grounds.
Scenario 4
The Institute of Supply Chain Management states that there is no person, activity or business that conflict with various lawful interest of the business. Therefore, supply chain management in the business is under obligation to serve the core objectives of the business. Ethical decisions affecting the buyers ethical perspective is based on the organizational environment. Organization environment encompasses the environment in which an organization conducts business, and the manner in which the top management handles ethical considerations. Cultural environment affects the culture in which people are brought about, and their attitudes towards ethical considerations. If the culture in which an individual is brought up or organization operates is highly ethical, the organization will be obliged to uphold ethical practices in the conduct of business.
The personal perspective of ethical consideration is based on individual perspective on ethical considerations. A highly ethical person will rarely or never compromise ethical practice in the conduct of his/her business practices. The industry perspective of ethical considerations evaluates the manner in which ethical considerations are considered in the overall conduct of business in the industry. If the conduct of business in the industry is highly ethical, an organization operating in the industry is obliged to be highly ethical to be competitive in the industry. Sharon should hold on her earlier decision that Apex is the best company that serves the interest and purposes of the organization, even though she would be risking her job as a buyer in the company.
