CIPS L4M1 Exam

A basic response would include:

- What a Corporate Governance Framework is - the system of rules, practices and processes which directs and controls a company. Corporate Governance refers to the way in which companies are governed and to what purpose.

- Impact this has on policies and processes -- means the procurement department follows regulatory mechanisms (e.g. financial regulations, Codes of Practices), has a checks and balances system (such as auditing), uses e-procurement technologies, vets staff and suppliers, has a clear segregation of duties etc.

This is a very open question and there are so many correct answers. In fact, it's quite hard to give a wrong answer to this question -- as long as your response explains a policy or process that a procurement department can have that ensures they're following Corporate Governance -- that's right!

A good response may mention:

- Corporate governance is in essence a 'toolkit' that allows an organisation to effectively manage itself, ensuring that it's policies and procedures are compliant with legislation and are ethical. It also ensures that the company meets its objectives.

- The impact Corporate Governance has on the procurement department will be in mandating the ways in which goods and services are procured and in the general ways of working of the procurement department.

- In your response you should mention 5 (ish) different ways Corporate Governance would impact on how procurement do their job. Examples include:

- Ethical Conduct -- corporate governance ensures that the company is operating in a legal and ethical way. This influences the processes Procurement will do and the type of suppliers they will engage with. This may also be in their approach to relationships and negotiations- seeking out collaborative relationships with suppliers rather than looking to exploit them. For example, an organisation that does not have a Corporate Governance structure may look to take advantage of suppliers and achieve the lowest cost possible at the expense of the supply chain and local community. An organisation that has strong Corporate Governance would work with suppliers, developing the relationships and thinking long-term about the impact on the local community. The organisation may therefore prioritise standards such as Fair Trade over price, and this would be reflected in the way tenders are evaluated by the procurement department.

- Use of Checks and Balance system- Corporate Governance ensures strong financial controls are implemented throughout the organisation. For the procurement department this may result in purchases being made to strict budgets (rather than just spending whatever they want), and business cases being written up and approved before the organisation spends a large amount of money on a single item. Another impact may be in the use of audits. For example, peer reviewing tenders and contract awards to ensue all members of the Procurement Team are following internal processes correctly.

- Anti-fraud prevention mechanisms. An important area of Corporate Governance is ensuring the organisation is free from fraud and corruption. This impacts on Procurement's policies and processes as it will mean scrutinising tenders and who is being awarded contracts. It may result in high levels of Due Diligence being completed on suppliers before entering into contracts and providing a whistle-blowing service for staff to report issues.

- Security measures- this will be to protect the organisation from risk. It may include the procurement department vetting new staff by completing background checks. It may also involve the segregation of procurement duties so that no individual has too much power. E.g. one person raises the requisition and another person approves the purchase. Security may also be in ways of working such as password protecting documentation and limiting access to confidential information.

- Use of a Purchasing Policy Manual -- this provides operational guidance on procurement policies and procedures to all staff members. It may detail things like who has permission to order what, who the Delegated Purchasing Authority (DPA) is and the roles and responsibilities of the team.

An excellent response may also include

- Reasons why Corporate Governance Frameworks impact on procurement policies and practices. This could include reasons of accountability, reputation and risk management, procurement's links with other departments.

- You could also look at what processes would look like with Corporate Governance compared to without it (with CG = rule driven, autocratic but organisation is protected from risk. Without CG = laissez-faire, everyone does whatever they like, very risky)

- You could also provide further examples, either real life or hypothetical. Investopedia has some great information and examples you could use: Corporate Governance Definition: How It Works (investopedia.com)

How to approach this question

- Remember as you're preparing an essay plan that this is a case study question, meaning everything has to relate back to Mo and Manufacturer X. So for the 5 areas- think about how this would be applicable for a robotics manufacturer. CIPS don't expect you to know anything about robotics so if you talk about KPIs for suppliers- just make them up- as long as they sound right-ish that's all that matters.

- Areas you could talk about include: competition, ethics, KPIs, quality, supplier appraisal, supplier evaluation, sustainability, transparency

Example Essay

Mo, stepping into the role of Head of Procurement at Manufacturer X during a pivotal period of growth, faces the task of expanding the department and formalizing its policies. In this intricate landscape of a small organization creating bespoke robots, five crucial areas demand Mo's careful consideration in the drafting of departmental policies and manuals: competition, ethics, quality, supplier evaluation, and sustainability.

Firstly, competition. As Manufacturer X navigates growth, Mo must establish transparent guidelines for competitive bidding processes. It is imperative to ensure fairness in supplier selection and implement strategies for cost competitiveness without compromising quality. Encouraging innovation and collaboration with suppliers becomes a strategic approach to gain a competitive edge in the market. Mo should be careful that his policies do not favour any suppliers over others and that consideration is given to allowing SMEs to bid for work.

Secondly, Ethics. Mo needs to develop an explicit code of ethics guiding procurement professionals in their interactions. This should emphasize honesty, integrity, and fair treatment. Additionally, establishing due diligence procedures to ensure suppliers adhere to ethical business practices, especially concerning labour and environmental standards is important. Moreover, whistleblower protection mechanisms should be put in place to encourage the reporting of ethical concerns without fear of reprisal.

Thirdly, Quality considerations. Given the bespoke nature of the robotics industry and the necessity of maintaining high standards for customer satisfaction, Mo must define and communicate stringent quality requirements to suppliers, emphasizing adherence to specifications and standards. The establishment of robust inspection and testing procedures at various stages of the supply chain is crucial, ensuring consistent component quality. Developing contingency plans and protocols for addressing quality issues promptly, including collaboration with suppliers for continuous improvement, should be integrated.

With the organization's growth, a systematic approach to supplier evaluation becomes paramount. Mo needs to develop a comprehensive evaluation framework, including criteria such as financial stability, reliability, and past performance. Implementing a supplier scorecard system is essential for tracking and assessing supplier performance over time. Moreover, fostering strategic relationships with key suppliers to promote collaboration, innovation, and long-term partnerships becomes a strategic imperative.

Lastly, Mo should consider sustainability, in particular environmental awareness and the promotion of sustainable practices into the supply chain for long-term viability. Developing sustainability criteria for supplier selection, considering factors such as environmental impact, social responsibility, and ethical sourcing, is imperative. Encouraging suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly practices and certifications, such as ISO14001 or Fair Trade, becomes crucial. The integration of sustainability goals into procurement key performance indicators (KPIs) is essential for tracking progress and demonstrating the organization's commitment to corporate responsibility.

In conclusion, Mo's strategic focus on competition, ethics, quality, supplier evaluation, and sustainability is pivotal in laying the foundation for a procurement department that not only supports Manufacturer X's growth, but also aligns with its values and industry standards. This approach positions the organization for success in the dynamic landscape of bespoke robot manufacturing.

Tutor Notes

- This question is taken from P. 146 -- note the question is on policies not strategy. These are slightly different concepts, but they do overlap. Policies are black and white- we do this and we don't do that. Strategies are about what the company wants to achieve. They're future orientated, where as a policy is about what we do now. So a policy may include sustainability, but strategy may talk about reducing pollution.

- CIPS could also ask you to talk about procurement strategies such as achieving cost reductions, environmental issues etc. These are also on p.146

How to approach the question

- This question is worth 25 marks so you can imagine what the mark scheme will look like. There are 5 Rights so there will be 5 points for each Right. Naming the Right will be one point, then you have 4 points for a description and example. You should therefore aim to have 4-5 sentences per Right.

- I would recommend using headings for this type of essay- clearly putting your essay into 5 sections for each right. This makes it easy for the examiner to mark.

Proposed Essay structure

- Introduction -- what is meant by the 5 Rights

- Price

- Quality

- Quantity

- Time

- Place

- Conclusion -- why it's important, all rights are equally as important

Example Essay

Procurement revolves around achieving the delicate balance of acquiring goods and/ or services at the right price, quality, quantity, time, and place. This essay explains why these 'Five Rights of Procurement' are important and explains how using this metric can help procurement to make smart choices when they purchase goods or services.

Price:

Firstly, it is important that procurement do not simply seek to find the cheapest option. The First Right is about finding the product/ service at an affordable price that doesn't compromise on quality. Let's say a company is buying office furniture. They might go for a supplier that offers a good balance between cost and quality, ensuring they get good value for their money. Considerations here may include Total Cost of Ownership, the Price Iceberg, and Whole Life Costing. The company therefore may seek to get the best price, but in relation to how long the furniture will last. A cheap chair that will break after one year may not be the best price compared to another chair which will last 10 years.

Quality:

The second right, quality, looks at legal compliance and fitness for purpose. Quality adherence aligns with specifications as well as legislation such as the UK Sale of Goods Act 1979. This helps ensure that items meet their commonly intended purpose and maintains satisfactory condition. Buyers deploy both reactive measures like Quality Control and proactive approaches like Quality Assurance to uphold the stipulated quality. This commitment not only ensures legal compliance but also underpins customer satisfaction, brand reputation, and ethical sourcing policies. An example of quality is an organisation buying a washing machine that conforms to ISO standard 97.060 and has a 2-year warrantee.

Quantity:

The third right, quantity, is a strategic consideration about how much of an item to order. It is connected to efficient inventory management. One tool that procurement can use to ensure they order the right quantity of a product is Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) -- this serves as a tool for finding the equilibrium between stock-holding costs and avoiding stockouts. Market conditions, supply chain dynamics (e.g. JIT / Lean manufacturing), and organizational policies collectively play a pivotal role in determining the right quantity. For example a confectionary manufacturer will need to order the right number of eggs to make cakes- they will need to consider how many eggs they will need in order to make the cakes, but also take into consideration that they may not need them all at once and that eggs can expire. The use of an MRP system is helpful when determining quantities of products to order.

Time:

Time is about getting things when we need them. In the above example, an egg delivery timing for a confectionary manufacturer will be pivotal to making the cakes on time. Other considerations about time include changing market forces and customer demand. The use of forecasting is therefore extremely useful; particularly if there are peaks in demand for a product, such as toys at Christmas. Moreover, organizations need to avoid bottlenecks and production stoppages, so time (including lead time and delivery time) is an important consideration when making orders.

Place:

Lastly, place is about getting things to the right location. Minimizing environmental impact, reducing risks during transit, and optimizing warehousing practices contribute to achieving the right place. This is particularly important for perishable items such as food, and for items which require specific storage conditions such as chemicals. This involves good planning in terms of logistics, minimizing any impact on the environment during transport and a consideration for safety.

In conclusion, the Five Rights of Procurement provide a structured framework for organizations to optimize their sourcing practices. All rights are equally as important and it is the relationship between the Rights which is key. While price, quality, quantity, time, and place form the foundation, evolving models acknowledge additional elements like the Right Relationship with the Supplier. Embracing these principles not only ensures operational efficiency but also promotes sustainability and ethical conduct throughout the procurement process, contributing to long-term success in a globalized and dynamic marketplace.

Tutor Notes

- The 5 Rights is a big topic in CIPS so do learn them off by heart. It's p. 20 in the study guide.

- The conclusion mentions that additional 'rights' are starting to be introduced into the matrix, this is true and isn't mentioned in this study guide. I believe this starts to come up in Level 5. Just something to be aware of- some people are now talking about other Rights such as finding the right supplier and the right relationship. It's good to know, but not essential for this essay. Neither is knowing the ISO standard for washing machines -- that's certainly not in the book. You can sprinkle in your own knowledge to essays like this, as it demonstrates you're able to apply the theory to real life. Why I remember the ISO for washing machines is a different story....

- You could also have mentioned the following topics;

o price -- using the right currency and incoterm, aggregation of spend, negotiating prices

o quality -- conformance and performance specs

o quantity -- fulfilling retail orders, large order quantities leading to discount

o time -- additional costs of a stockout, impact on relationships and reputation

o place -- additional costs if delivery fails

- This is the type of question you can easily over-write. It's a huge topic and you could easily spend too long on it and not have enough time to answer other questions. So be careful with your timings. You don't need to mention everything above.

- Another way this type of question can come up is as a scenario. E.g. XYZ is a manufacturer of cakes and needs to order eggs. Discuss how XYZ can ensure the 5 Rights of Procurement when ordering Eggs.

How to approach this question

- The first question can be a simple introduction with a bit of extra detail. The main 'meat' to your essay is going to be explaining the three sectors, their characteristics and example businesses.

- Aim for three well explained characteristics as a minimum

Example essay

An industry sector refers to a broad category or grouping of businesses and economic activities that share similar characteristics and functions in the production and distribution of goods and services. These sectors are often classified into three main categories: Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary. Here are the main characteristics and types of businesses you will find in each of these industry sectors:

1. Primary Sector:

* Characteristics: The primary sector involves activities related to the extraction and production of raw materials and natural resources directly from the environment. This sector relies on nature and weather patterns: businesses in the primary sector are highly dependent on natural factors such as climate, weather, soil quality, and geographic location. These factors can significantly impact the productivity and profitability of primary sector activities. Extreme weather such as floods can severely impact this sector. Moreover there is a seasonality to this sector and many activities in the primary sector require a significant amount of manual labour, particularly in agriculture, fishing, and forestry. However, modern technology has also been integrated into some primary sector activities to increase efficiency.

* Types of Businesses: a. Agriculture: This includes farming, crop cultivation, livestock raising, and forestry. b. Mining and Extraction. c. Fishing and Aquaculture: Forestry and Logging: Includes the harvesting of timber and related activities.

2. Secondary Sector:

* Characteristic: The secondary sector focuses on the transformation of raw materials and intermediate goods into finished products. The main characteristic of the sector is that it requires high levels of machinery and industrial techniques. There is a reliance on technology. Secondly, the secondary sector adds significant value to the products compared to their raw material form. This value addition is achieved through processing, assembly, and quality control processes. The third main characteristic is standardisation: Manufacturing processes often involve standardization of components and processes to ensure consistency and quality in the final products. Standardization helps in economies of scale.

* Types of Businesses: a. Manufacturing: This sector includes factories and plants that produce tangible goods such as automobiles, electronics, textiles, and machinery. b. Construction: Involves the building and construction of structures like buildings, bridges, and infrastructure. c. Utilities: Companies providing essential services like electricity, gas, and water supply fall into this category.

3. Tertiary Sector:

* Characteristic: The tertiary sector is also known as the service sector and involves businesses that offer various services to consumers and other businesses. The main defining characteristic of this sector is Intangibility: Services are intangible and cannot be touched or held. They are often experienced directly by consumers through interactions with service providers or through the use of technology. Secondly, High Human Involvement: The tertiary sector relies heavily on a skilled and often highly educated workforce to deliver services effectively. This can include professionals such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, and customer service representatives. Lastly, Customization: Many services are customized to meet the specific needs and preferences of individual clients or customers. This personalization is a key characteristic of the tertiary sector. For example Legal Advice will always be different depending on the specific needs of the client.

* Types of Businesses: a. Retail and Wholesale: Businesses engaged in the sale of goods to consumers or to other businesses. b. Healthcare and Education: This includes hospitals, clinics, schools, colleges, and universities. c. Financial Services: Banks, insurance companies, and investment firms are part of this sector. d. Hospitality and Tourism: Hotels, restaurants, travel agencies, and entertainment venues fall into this category. e. Professional Services: Legal, accounting, consulting, and IT services are part of the tertiary sector.

These industry sectors represent the different stages of economic activity, with the primary sector providing raw materials, the secondary sector processing and manufacturing goods, and the tertiary sector offering services and distribution. Together, these sectors form the backbone of an economy, contributing to its growth and development

Tutor Notes

- I've gone overboard on naming the types of organisation in the different sectors. You don't have to remember all of these. 3 examples is sufficient to get good marks. I've just named them all so you can see what could be considered a right answer.

- Some people are talking about Quaternary and Quinary Sectors. CIPS is not one of those people, so don't worry if you come across those terms in any further reading. But FYI

1.

* Quaternary Sector: This sector involves knowledge-based activities, including research and development, information technology, and data analysis.

* Quinary Sector: The quinary sector comprises high-level decision-making and leadership roles in areas such as government, academia, healthcare, and top-level corporate management.

- LO 4.1 p.196

How to approach this question

- Sometimes CIPS give you a steer on how to answer the question. My advice is to follow it. The question says you MAY make reference to the following, but I'd use those hints as a guide for content- a paragraph on each and you're done!

- When you've got a 'may make reference to' hint -- this means you can completely ignore it and do your own thing and bring in your own ideas. May means it's optional, so you wouldn't be penalised for this. However, you have to consider the examiner's mark scheme- it will detail options of stuff you can write for funding, ownership etc. Then there will be a line at the bottom saying something like 'accept other options such as x and y'. This leaves it up to the examiner to decide whether what you've said is relevant. I'd personally not leave it up to chance you get a lenient examiner. If you write what's definitely going to be on their mark scheme, you're more likely to get more points.

Example Essay

The modern economy is a complex tapestry of various sectors, each with its own distinct characteristics and functions. The three prominent sectors are the public sector, the private sector, and the third sector. These sectors differ significantly in terms of their funding mechanisms, ownership structures, objectives, the concept of shares, and their administration.

Firstly, the public sector is predominantly funded by the government through taxation, grants, and other forms of public revenue. Its very existence hinges on the provision of essential services and the fulfilment of societal needs. These organizations are owned by the government, be it at the federal, state, or local level. Unlike the private sector, the concept of shares doesn't apply in the public sector. Instead, the government allocates budgets to various departments and agencies for public services and projects. The primary objectives of the public sector revolve around the welfare of the citizens, including the provision of education, healthcare, defence, and infrastructure. It is characterized by bureaucratic administration, with decision-making processes subject to governmental regulations and oversight. A prime example is public schools and healthcare systems, which are funded and operated by the government with the primary objective of ensuring universal access to education and healthcare services.

In contrast, the private sector operates on a starkly different paradigm. It is primarily funded by private capital, investment, and profit-seeking activities. Private individuals and corporations own these entities, with ownership shares often represented by stocks. Shareholders invest capital in exchange for ownership stakes and the potential for dividends. The central objective in the private sector is profit maximization, driven by competition in the market. Companies in the private sector are administered by management teams and boards of directors, with decisions guided by market forces. Apple and ExxonMobil are examples of private sector entities, privately owned and publicly traded, with profit motives at their core. Shareholders invest in these companies with the expectation of financial returns.

Lastly, the third sector, often referred to as the nonprofit or voluntary sector, represents a unique economic sphere. It relies on a combination of funding sources, including donations, grants, and earned income, but not taxation. Third sector organizations are not owned by individuals or shareholders; instead, they are governed by boards of directors or trustees. Unlike the private sectors, shares are not applicable in the third sector. These organizations do not seek to distribute profits to owners. The primary objective of the third sector is to serve a social or community purpose, such as addressing societal issues, promoting social change, and providing services that benefit the public. Administration in this sector is overseen by non-profit boards, and it heavily relies on volunteers, philanthropy, and community engagement. For example, the Red Cross operates with the objective of providing humanitarian aid and disaster relief, relying on donations and volunteers to fulfil its mission. Any profits that are made are reinvested into the organisation to further its mission.

In conclusion, the public, private, and third sectors represent diverse economic domains, each with its own funding mechanisms, ownership structures, objectives, and administrative models. These sectors play essential and complementary roles in society, contributing to economic development, public welfare, and social progress. Together, they form the foundation of a balanced and dynamic economic landscape.

Tutor Notes

- I've structured this essay with a paragraph on each sector, but you could have done a paragraph on each theme, thus having 5 paragraphs instead of 3. Either approach works.

- You've got 5 things and 3 sectors, that equals 15 marks. If you give an example of each and a strong intro and conclusion, that's full marks.

- See LO 4.1 p. 203 -- there's a cute table with this information on.