Ethics in Contracting

8-1 Discussion: Ethics in Contracting
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8-1 Discussion: Ethics in Contracting
In the past one century and three decades, I think procurement ethics have evolved significantly. Some aspects that have changed over time in procurement ethics include gratuities, gifts, and graft (De Bakker et al., 2019). I noted that decentralization of the procurement process is bound to undermine contracting ethics, especially those related to compliance.
In the 20th century, purchasing agents used to experience poor pay. However, firm management has turned their heads towards providing gifts for the purchasing agents. Suppliers offer gifts to gain favors from the purchasing agents to help them win the supply tenders (British Periodicals, 1877). Additionally, the gifts were as incentives for the lowly-paid purchasing agents. The trend continues into the 21st century leading to a compromise on procurement ethics.
Such trends that include fraud and bribery from suppliers aiming to be considered winning suppliers for a firm have become rampant. However, procurement function and its overall significance have pushed the business world to become more...