Prompt #7: Contemplating Controversy

Jordan Thimm

A big controversial topic in the field of supply chain  management is the ethical behavioral actions and the social responsibilities of people and companies in the field. Members of this job field often are stuck between doing what's right, and doing what will benefit them the most. Ironically, this is something people contemplate on a regular basis with everyday things. People are stuck between choosing to do things to benefit others and maybe a company as a whole, or choosing to help themselves. It may seem like an obvious answer, "well of course I would help my company and fellow workers", but it is often not that simple. Especially if the decision to help others is not the most financially beneficial decision. In the supply chain industry, the number one reason for most unethical behavior is cutting cost. This reasoning holds value in many scenarios of our world today, and that is why the quote "money is the root of all evil", in most cases, is pretty accurate.

The combination of wanting to keep costs low, as well as the huge amount of competition faced by companies and the easy availability of counterfeit or false products are all factor that contribute to the unethical behaviors used in business practices. So when it comes down to it, the management of the company is what decides how the company will act in regards to unethical practice and behavior. So how does a good business successfully stay away from these and instead run their business both ethically and profitably?

A good management will be proactive and plan ahead to ensure they are profiting as well as following in ethical business practice. Some ways that successful management might do this is by product innovation, cheaper but suitable replacements for materials, and effective supplier shortlisting. These are just a few ways good management can run their business to ensure they are acting in ethical ways. Not only is working ethically morally good, it is just good business. More companies will want to do business with a morally sound business rather than one which does not always act ethically. There are always reasons behind people's actions, but their reasoning is not always right. Now that you kind of know both sides of ethical and unethical business practice, it's up to you to choose a side. It may seem like an easy answer, but you can't really know until you're in the situation where you have to decide whether to act morally and perhaps give something up, or act immorally and gain from it. Think about it.


http://www.mypurchasingcenter.com/purchasing/industry-articles/ethics-issues-prevail-supply-chain-management/