L5M5 Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply Questions and Answers

The UN Global Compact is primarily aimed at businesses. The L5M5 study guide (p.258) clarifies that while NGOs and other organisations can engage, the Compact is designed to encourage corporate responsibility in human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption. Since 2003, cities and public sector organisations can also join under different frameworks, but businesses remain the main focus. For procurement, this means suppliers aligned with the UN Global Compact are more likely to demonstrate compliance with global ethical standards.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.258

CSR policies allow businesses to integrate ethical, social, and environmental concerns into their operations. The L5M5 study guide (p.28) highlights several benefits: an improved reputation (A), enhanced competitiveness (B) by differentiating the company, and a positive impact on wider society (D). However, CSR policies do not provide protection from all legal issues (C)—illegal activities can still occur despite having a policy. CSR (sometimes referred to as ESG in modern usage) builds stakeholder trust, supports compliance with global sustainability frameworks, and enhances long-term resilience. Procurement teams are particularly important in embedding CSR into supply chains by ensuring supplier compliance and accountability.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.28

The L5M5 study guide (p.185) explains the distinction between regulatory documents. Guidelines are advisory documents providing best practice but are not legally binding. Regulations and statutes (A and C) are legally binding, and directives (B) are binding once incorporated into national legislation. Procurement professionals must be able to differentiate between binding legislation and advisory guidelines to ensure compliance. While guidelines help shape ethical practices, failure to follow them usually does not carry legal penalties.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.185

ISO14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.277), one disadvantage is that ISO does not set environmental performance targets itself; instead, it requires organisations to define their own targets. This means some organisations may set very easy or minimal goals, limiting actual environmental improvement. Option A is incorrect as ISO14001 applies consistently across industries. Option C is a requirement, not a disadvantage. Option D is an overgeneralisation—while some firms misuse it for "greenwashing," many genuinely use it to improve sustainability.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.277

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms are encouraged in procurement as they save time, reduce costs, and preserve business relationships. The key ADR methods listed in the L5M5 study guide (p.188) include mediation, adjudication, and conciliation. These methods are designed as alternatives to litigation, which involves courts, legal judgments, and lengthy processes. Litigation is not an ADR method; it is the traditional approach, often more adversarial and costly. Procurement professionals are encouraged to adopt ADR whenever possible, as it helps maintain collaborative supplier relationships while resolving conflicts effectively.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, new edition p.188

The L5M5 study guide (p.8) outlines the six key components of a CSR plan: CSR Assessment, CSR Strategy and Refinement, Implementation Plan and Activities (C), Commitment to Stakeholder Engagement (D), and Verification and Evaluation of Results (E). An introduction (A) and financial analysis (B) may support a CSR plan but are not listed as key components. Procurement professionals should ensure CSR plans are robust, measurable, and involve stakeholder engagement to gain legitimacy and trust.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.8

The Deming Cycle (also known as the PDCA cycle) is a continuous improvement model. The correct sequence is: Plan, Do, Check, Act. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.276), it is used within ISO14001 and other management systems to improve processes iteratively. "Plan" involves identifying improvements, "Do" implements them, "Check" monitors results, and "Act" standardises successful changes. Procurement professionals apply this cycle in supplier management and sustainability programmes to ensure continuous improvement.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.276

Globalisation is driven by a variety of factors, including cost, technology, and regulation. A cost driver is a factor that helps organisations reduce expenses and achieve financial efficiency. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.56), one of the most significant cost drivers is the opportunity to build economies of scale, where larger production volumes reduce per-unit costs. While improvements in technology (A) and relaxed trade rules (C) are drivers of globalisation, they are not specifically cost-related. "Value for stakeholders" (B) is broader and not strictly a cost driver. Procurement professionals should recognise economies of scale as a primary cost incentive for international sourcing and trade.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.56

The practice described is known as Direct Trade. Unlike Fair Trade, which follows certification standards set by external bodies, Direct Trade involves companies directly sourcing from producers, often providing higher prices and more investment in local communities. The L5M5 study guide (p.309) explains that Direct Trade is particularly common in coffee and cocoa supply chains, where companies wish to build stronger, transparent, and ethical relationships with producers. It differs from Fair Trade in that it avoids third-party certification costs and focuses on building trust through long-term partnerships. Procurement professionals must understand both models when sourcing ethically in international markets.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.309

ISO14000 is the family of standards for environmental management, making it the most appropriate for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). The L5M5 study guide (p.211) states that ISO14001, in particular, sets requirements for organisations to establish environmental management systems (EMS). ISO9001 relates to quality management, ISO22000 to food safety, and ISO31000 to risk management. For procurement, ISO14000 certification provides assurance that suppliers follow recognised environmental practices, making it highly relevant to CSR and ESG goals.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.211

Child labour often occurs in the production stage (e.g., farming, mining) and manufacturing stage (e.g., garment sweatshops). According to the L5M5 study guide (p.252), these unethical practices create risks for procurement, as organisations may face reputational damage, legal consequences, and disrupted supply chains. Retailers and suppliers are indirectly affected but are not the primary locations where child labour is found. Procurement professionals must ensure thorough supply chain due diligence, audits, and supplier codes of conduct to prevent child labour risks in procurement decisions.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.252

The United Nations (UN) launched the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which includes the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The L5M5 study guide (p.4) emphasises that these goals cover social, environmental, and economic priorities, including poverty reduction, climate action, decent work, and responsible consumption. NATO, ISO, and ILO play important roles in governance, standards, and labour rights but are not responsible for the SDGs. For procurement professionals, the SDGs provide a global framework to align ethical supply practices with wider sustainability objectives.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.4

The World Fair Trade Organisation (WFTO) has a set of 10 principles designed to ensure fair and sustainable trade. These include providing opportunities for disadvantaged producers, ensuring the payment of a local living wage, promoting gender equity, and rejecting child labour and forced labour. The L5M5 study guide (p.295) confirms that the WFTO focuses on disadvantaged producers in developing countries, differentiating it from organisations like the ILO, which sets broader labour standards, and the OECD/EU, which focus on economic or political cooperation. Procurement professionals may encounter WFTO-certified suppliers, especially in commodities like coffee, cocoa, and handicrafts.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.295

In the Kraljic Matrix, leverage items are high value but have many suppliers and low switching costs. The L5M5 study guide (old p.108, new p.154) explains that buyers have strong negotiation power in leverage situations and can achieve cost savings without high risk. Bottleneck items (B) are low-value but high-risk due to limited suppliers, routine items (C) are low-value and low-risk, and strategic items (D) are high-value and high-risk. Procurement professionals must use leverage strategically to maximise value.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.154

The L5M5 study guide highlights several tools procurement can use to embed ethics and sustainability into supply chains. These include benchmarking (A), which compares practices against best-in-class organisations; supply chain mapping (C), which provides visibility of all tiers of suppliers to identify risks; and on-site audits (D), which verify supplier compliance with ethical standards directly. Supplier preferencing (B) is a portfolio analysis tool used to understand suppliers’ perspectives, not specifically an ethical improvement tool. Cost analysis (E) is primarily financial and does not ensure ethical compliance. Procurement professionals must apply tools like mapping and audits to identify risks such as forced labour, environmental harm, or corruption.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, section on supplier evaluation and sustainability tools

The L5M5 study guide (p.33) outlines nine steps to creating a Sustainable Procurement Policy. The very first step is to identify who will take lead responsibility (C). This ensures accountability from the outset. Once a leader is appointed, the next steps include gathering information, drafting the policy, consulting with stakeholders, obtaining approval, and monitoring. Without clear leadership, policies risk being ineffective. Procurement professionals must ensure accountability and leadership to drive sustainability objectives effectively.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.33

While LCCS can reduce costs, it also presents risks. The L5M5 study guide (p.72) identifies disadvantages such as inventory risks (C) from longer lead times, different laws and regulations (D) creating compliance challenges, and currency fluctuations (E) impacting costs unpredictably. Low infrastructure costs (A) and scalability of production (B) are advantages, not disadvantages. Procurement professionals must weigh cost savings against these risks and implement mitigation strategies such as dual sourcing and currency hedging.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.72

The STEEPLED analysis tool examines external macro-environmental factors: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal, Ethical, and Demographic. The L5M5 study guide (p.55) confirms that “D” stands for Demographic, reflecting population trends, age structures, and workforce availability. This addition evolved from the earlier PESTLE model, later extended to STEEPLE and STEEPLED. Procurement professionals use this tool to assess external risks and opportunities that may affect supply markets and ethical sourcing.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.55

The Modern Slavery Act 2015 introduced a requirement for companies with turnover above £36 million to publish annual slavery and human trafficking statements, disclosing actions to ensure transparency in supply chains. The L5M5 study guide (old p.62, new p.90) stresses its role in combating forced labour and human trafficking. While the Companies Act (A) focuses on governance, the Working Time Directive (C) regulates working hours, and the Health and Safety Act (D) ensures workplace safety, only the Modern Slavery Act addresses supply chain transparency.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.90

Insider trading occurs when individuals use confidential or non-public information to gain an unfair advantage in stock market trading. The L5M5 study guide (p.3) identifies insider trading as an example of unethical business behaviour. It is illegal in most jurisdictions because it undermines market fairness and investor confidence. Bribery (A) and kickbacks (B) involve corrupt practices in procurement, while "greasing the wheels" (D) refers to facilitation payments. Procurement professionals must avoid insider trading directly and indirectly (e.g., suppliers disclosing confidential financial information) to maintain ethical compliance and governance.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.3

The International Labour Organization (ILO) sets global labour standards, and freedom of association is one of its fundamental rights. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.249), this right allows workers to form or join trade unions and workers’ organisations to collectively defend their interests. It ensures employees can negotiate working conditions, pay, and rights without discrimination or retaliation. This principle underpins fair labour practices and corporate social responsibility. Other options such as "having a second job" or "avoiding slavery" are separate issues covered under different ILO conventions, but they do not define freedom of association.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.249

The Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 requires UK employers to ensure that working conditions are safe and that risks to health are managed. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.6), this includes duties such as accident prevention, safe use of equipment, and training employees. While the Working Time Regulations (A) relate to working hours, the Companies Act (B) covers corporate governance, and the Disability Discrimination Act (D) focuses on preventing discrimination, only the Health and Safety at Work Act specifically ensures safe conditions. Procurement professionals must be aware of this when selecting and monitoring suppliers, particularly in high-risk industries.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.6

The L5M5 study guide (old p.40, new p.64) defines tacit knowledge as knowledge gained through personal experience, observation, and practice rather than formal education. For example, an employee may develop an instinct for supplier negotiation strategies over years of practice. By contrast, explicit knowledge can be formally recorded and taught. Tacit knowledge provides competitive advantage because it is harder for competitors to imitate. Procurement leaders must capture and share tacit knowledge within teams to strengthen organisational learning.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.64