Frameworks That Can Be Applied for Ethical Theories in Procurement Selection Process
Ethical Framework Analysis for Vendor Selection in Procurement Processes
For efficiency and simplification for procurement selection with which selected vendors in a procurement would be compared, the use of application of theories (ethical) such as frameworks for ethical decision-making can be utilized to get the procurement done as a professional. Frameworks for ethical decision-making are theories that have a basis from traditional normative ethical theories which are the principles with which right or good decisions are determined. There are three (3) frameworks, they are, the Consequentialist framework, the Duty framework and the Virtue framework. Consequentialist framework deals with producing the outcomes that bring the best and the least adverse effects. The Duty framework identifies with what one’s obligations are and what one must never do, considering the equal rights of everyone. And the Virtue framework considers the kind of character one should have, and one’s behaviors depict one’s character (Brown University, 2013). These would be discussed in the table below:
Illustrating Frameworks for Ethical Decision-Making:
From the analysis of the table above, Vendor 3 - Competitor’s, is the most ethically accepted for the procurement selection process. This is because this Vendor brings the best outcome with least harm to all who are involved from the Consequentialist theory. Selection of this Vendor fulfills one’s obligation required of the sponsor of the project and protects everyone’s rights, talking about the Duty framework. And finally, it fulfills the Virtue theory that requires one to depict good character which one would have satisfy after getting confirmation of the intension of the project manager. Since Vendor 1 and 2 do not meet all these requirements, hence, Vendor 3 would be the final selector vendor for the procurement of mission-critical airplane surveillance systems software for the company.
