There are a number of pressing issues currently in procurement that the prescribed text doesn't cover and the assignments this year deal with some of these issues. The first assignment tackled sustainability and this one tackles slavery. Cost pressures in supply chains result in corners being cut and standards being dropped, these are issues that no responsible procurement manager should tolerate. This assignment is about getting the student to consider this important societal matter and to get them to focus how the process of decision making based solely on price may have unintended consequences.

Assignment:

It is estimated that about 16 million people may be subjected to slavery based upon cost conscious supply chain practises. You are required to examine how procurement decisions based solely on price contribute to this problem and to develop a procurement policy that attempts to ensure that your supply chain is free from the exploitation of people.

Criteria:

You should draw upon academic journals and other peer reviewed material when writing your assignment. There should be at least FIVE recognised academic references in your document; please note that websites such as Wikipedia are not recognised as peer reviewed.External material cited should not include material provided by your lecturer during the delivery of the module.