L4M4 Ethical and Responsible Sourcing Question and Answers

Public sector procurement is governed by statutory regulations (such as EU Procurement Directives or UK Public Contracts Regulations) that impose minimum timescales for fairness, transparency, and supplier access. For example, open tendering requires a minimum response period to allow all interested suppliers to participate equally. While stakeholder involvement and debriefing are also features of public procurement, the defining reason for longer timelines is legal compliance. Private sector organisations, by contrast, can set flexible timelines based on complexity and urgency. Responsible sourcing in public procurement ensures equitable access and avoids supplier discrimination.

Explanation

Incoterms describe who out of the buer and seller; organises transport and what type of transport this is, who pays for insurance, and who organises duty / tariff arrangements when the goods go through customs. See p.131. Note- some students report a lot of questions on Incoterms in the exam, some say they only had 1. If you can, I'd learn them just to be safe.

Incorporating ESG requirements into contractual terms is a valid and increasingly common approach. It ensures that suppliers are contractually obligated to adhere to specific environmental, social, and governance standards, aligning with the buyer's commitment to responsible sourcing. This practice not only promotes ethical behavior but also mitigates risks associated with non-compliance, such as reputational damage or legal penalties.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"This unit focuses on responsible procurement practices, ensuring that sourcing decisions align with legal, environmental, and social governance (ESG) principles."

Explanation

Continuity of supply for the buying organisation is an advantage of TUPE regulations.

TUPE is the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). It's when the workforce / em-ployees of one company go to work for another one, usually after their company is bought out. They're transferred to the new company along with the furniture and buildings.

TUPE is UK specific. You don't need to know too much details about it for this exam - just what it is and the benefits. The main benefit is people don't lose their jobs when their company gets bought out. Basic guide to TUPE (pinsentmasons.com)

Explanation

liquid = the ability to pay short and medium term debts. In simple terms do you have more in stuff (money, assets) than you owe in debt?

Understanding Liquidity and How to Measure It (investopedia.com)

This is a hot topic for the exam. Learn everything in this section.

The bill of lading serves as both a receipt of goods and a document of title, which means it confirms the contract of carriage and can transfer ownership. Responsible sourcing in international trade requires precise documentation, which is why the bill of lading is critical in verifying both carriage and title.

Outsourcing can lead to a loss of control over certain aspects of a project, as the organization relies on external parties to deliver services or products. Additionally, sharing sensitive information with third-party vendors increases the risk of data breaches or loss of private information. While there may be concerns about assets or future business opportunities, the primary risks in outsourcingrelate to control and information security.

Explanation

Open account (aka credit account) is most beneficial to the buyer. The supplier delivers the goods then the buyer pays.

Cash in advance is most beneficial to the supplier. The buyer pays for the item before receiving it.

This is a known exam topic.

Explanation

The buyer should seek a 'collaborative' relationship. Transactional and arms-length relationships are more suited to tactical sourcing. Partnerships are reserved for joint-ventures.

Explanation

A risk of pre-planning an audit is the supplier has time to prepare for it. It's a good thing in that they can get their paperwork in order but the downside is they can overprepare so you don't get a realis-tic representation of what they're doing. One way they can do this is coaching staff in what to say to the auditors.

CIPS promotes a constructive and corrective approach when suppliers fall short of ethical standards, especially on critical issues like human rights. Immediately cutting ties can harm workers further and disrupt supply without addressing root causes. A responsible sourcing approach requires buyers to engage suppliers, escalate the concern, and establish a corrective action plan with monitoring to ensure compliance. Only if the supplier refuses to act or breaches persist should termination occur. This supports continuous improvement, supplier development, and ethical due diligence, reflecting global standards such as the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Advertising tenders is crucial for achieving value for money by encouraging competitive bids, which can lead to better pricing and service offerings. It also provides insights into the market by revealing the capabilities and innovations of various suppliers, aiding in informed decision-making.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Inviting suppliers to take part in a competitive tender may reduce the potential for the biased selection of a supplier. Time, money and resource could be saved..."

The Triple Bottom Line framework evaluates an organisation's impact on social, environmental, and economic factors. Financial and environmental performance are critical components, along with social metrics, aligning with responsible sourcing goals to promote sustainability and ethical practices.

Explanation

Ex-Works has the lowest risk to the supplier- in Exworks the buyer collects the items directly from the supplier - so they have all the issues and risks of transporting it back home.

There are many question on Incoterms CIPS can ask. But as there's such a huge bank of questions it's really hit or miss if you'll get one of those question. Two students sitting the exam at the same time in the same study centre can get different question sets. One person can get 3 Incoterm questions and the other gets 0.

I would learn the major ones- the ones at the ends of the table in particular because these are the ones question are likely to be about. Ex works / Free carrier and Delivered at Place Unloaded/ De-livered Duty Paid in particular.

I like this graph as I'm a visual person. I think it makes it easier to understand than the study guide:

Shipping Incoterms: the Complete Guide - Guided Imports

Strategic sourcing focuses onlong-term value creation, alignment with organisational objectives, and cross-functional stakeholder involvement. Reviewing product design modifications with stakeholders directly influences cost, sustainability, quality, and supply risk over the product lifecycle. Similarly, evaluating quotations for major systems such as accounting software represents a high-value, long-term sourcing decision with strategic impact. In contrast, sourcing office chairs and routine stationery purchases are low-value, repetitive activities and are therefore classified as tactical sourcing. Ethical and responsible sourcing requires procurement professionals to prioritise strategic activities that affect long-term performance, risk management, and sustainability outcomes.

Explanation

the correct answer is 'Yes- a low gearing ratio means the company's finances are made up of equity rather than debt'.

Remember low gearing = good (based on equity), high gearing = bad (based on debt). Anything over 50% is considered high.

The two no answers are therefore incorrect and you can discount these straight away. The other yes answer is one of those answers which COULD be true, but isn't always true, and we'd need more information to know for sure. When you get options like this there will be one that is always right and one which is sometimes right - so always pick the always right one.

Dealing with supply chain disruptions is complex, and depending what the disruption is, how big it is, what the industry is etc determines whether a supplier can handle it or not. Because there's more factors to consider than just gearing, this isn't the right answer.

Explanation

A RFI typically finds the following information from potential suppliers; ethical and sustainability policies and their capacity / capability to fulfil a contract. It could also include financial position, mission and vision.

Explanation

Futures exchanges are used to trade commodities. It's when a buyer and supplier agree a price and deal for something in the future. For example a carrot farmer may agree to sell his carrots to Gary in 3 months time when they're finished growing. It's used when the product / commodity isn't ready yet.

It's also used for hedging and other complex financial stuff- but you don't need to know that yet. Commodities and Future contracts are a big part of L5M4 to warn you though. Futures Contract Definition: Types, Mechanics, and Uses in Trading (investopedia.com)

Explanation

tactical is the correct answer; items that are short-term or low value are considered tactical.

Strategic sourcing is long term and high value.

Outsourcing is moving a key business function to an external company.

Insourcing is bringing a previously outsourced part of the company back in-house.

A weighted scorecard provides astructured, objective, and transparentmethod of evaluating supplier bids against pre-agreed criteria such as price, quality, sustainability, and delivery. Weightings reflect the relative importance of each criterion, ensuring decisions are aligned with organisational priorities and value-for-money principles. This approach reduces bias, improves consistency, and creates an auditable record of the decision-making process. It does not focus solely on price, nor does it increase subjectivity when designed correctly. Ethical and responsible sourcing promotes the use of weighted scorecards to support fair competition, transparency, and defensible procurement decisions.

Incorporating recognized standards into procurement specifications provides clear guidelines for suppliers, reducing ambiguity and ensuring that products or services meet predefined quality and safety criteria. This is particularly important in sectors like healthcare, where equipment must adhere to strict standards to ensure patient safety and operational efficiency.

Explanation

the right to change nationality is not included in the UN Declaration of Human Rights. There are 30 in total but you're not expected to know them all. You should know the big ones though which are; life, security, belief, equal treatment, free speech and expression. A summary can be found here: Universal Declaration of Human Rights | United Nations

Providing a debrief allows suppliers to understand the tender process and learn areas of improvement, promoting transparency. This practice supports responsible sourcing by fostering a fair, competitive environment and encouraging suppliers to improve their future offerings.

Explanation

Coercion is not a type of fraud. The other three are.

Incorporating sustainability and environmental criteria into procurement decisions is essential for promoting responsible sourcing practices.Consolidated deliveryrefers to combining multiple shipments into a single delivery, which can significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation. By minimizing the number of deliveries, organizations can decrease fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with environmental sustainability goals.

This practice is particularly relevant in the procurement of IT supplies, where frequent, small deliveries can be consolidated to improve efficiency and environmental performance. Evaluating suppliers based on their ability to provide consolidated deliveries demonstrates a commitment to sustainable procurement practices.

Explanation

The correct answer is 'yes- because a low credit rating would indicate the supplier is financially un-stable'.

The two options beginning with no should automatically be discounted. The other option is incor-rect because credit ratings are private and would therefore not affect reputation.

Demand and currency fluctuations affect commodity pricing. November shows lowest demand, which usually reduces price pressure. Conversely, May (high demand) and months with strong supplier currencies (January, April) would increase costs. By ordering in November, the buyer leverages demand cycles to obtain lower prices. Responsible sourcing requires buyers to monitor market intelligence and seasonal trends to time purchases effectively, mitigating risks of price volatility while ensuring supply continuity. This reflects CIPS’s emphasis on category management and proactive procurement planning.

Sourcing services locally can deliversocial and economic benefits, including the creation oflocal employment opportunitiesandeconomic stimulation within the community. Local suppliers often reinvest in the local economy, supporting regional development and social value objectives. While reduced environmental impact may occur, it is not guaranteed for services, and contract management requirements remain regardless of supplier location. Ethical and responsible sourcing encourages consideration of social value outcomes, particularly where procurement decisions can positively impact local communities and stakeholders.

Explanation

EXW- exworks is a suitable incoterm for transporting goods both by rail and boat. It can be used regardless of the mode of transport. The other three are for transport over water. P. 143 Shipping Incoterms: the Complete Guide - Guided Imports

Some students report a lot of questions on Incoterms in the exam, some say they only had 1. Best bet is to learn them if you possibly can.

The acid test, also known as the quick ratio, measures a company's ability to cover its current liabilities with its most liquid assets, excluding inventory. It is a stringent indicator of short-term financial health. By requesting this ratio, the company can assess whether a potential supplier has sufficient liquidity to meet its obligations, which is crucial when procuring strategic items.

Supplier selection is about ensuring that suppliers are capable and suitable to meet the buyer’s requirements, including quality, reliability, and alignment with ethical standards. It also focuses on identifying, from a pool of pre-qualified suppliers, which supplier offers the best overall outcome. Financial stability and culture are considered earlier in pre-qualification, not during final selection. Similarly, “time-efficiency” in tender response is not a primary factor in supplier selection. Responsible sourcing emphasises due diligence, capability, and alignment with sustainability and ethical practices as part of selection decisions.

In a restricted tender process, suppliers are pre-qualified through a selection process before being invited to submit tenders. This approach is suitable when there is a need to ensure that only capable suppliers are considered, often due to the complexity or high value of the procurement. It is not limited to situations with few suppliers, and direct negotiations typically occur after tender submissions, not before. Contracts are awarded based on multiple criteria, not solely on price.

Explanation

The correct answer is bribery, corruption and the environment.

ESG stands for environmental and social governance. It's the new buzzword for CIPS and is basically everything to do with ethical procurement- so areas such as bribery and corruption are included as well as the environment.

Option 4 is incorrect as economic doesn't come into it.

Explanation

you would use a restricted approach when interest is likely to be high. The buyer needs a method of de-selecting unsuitable bidders and creating a shortlist of acceptable organisations.

For complex requirements you could use both an open or restrictive tender- the difference between the approaches is about how many bids you're likely to get rather than the complexity of it.

Employee working conditions, a code of ethics, and a carbon emissions policy are all indicative of a supplier's commitment to ESG standards. Assessing these factors aligns with responsible sourcing practices, which prioritize sustainability and ethical considerations.

Standards, such as ISO or BS norms, establish clear, universally recognised benchmarks for quality, safety, and performance. Including them in specifications reduces ambiguity, ensuring suppliers know exactly what is required and how compliance will be measured. They do not automatically guarantee lowest pricing or cover all unique buyer requirements. Instead, they improve comparability, fairness, and governance in tendering. Responsible sourcing emphasises use of recognised standards to ensure safety, ethical compliance, and consistent quality, particularly in sensitive categories like healthcare, where patient safety and continuity of service are paramount.

Competitive tendering is ideal for high-value contracts where technical expertise is essential. This method supports responsible sourcing by ensuring quality and aligning the supplier’s capabilities with the buyer’s needs, as required in more complex procurement scenarios.

Advertising in a local newspaper for a specialized requirement can lead to irrelevant bids, delaying the process. Efficient sourcing practices recommend targeted advertising to reach qualified suppliers, ensuring timely responses and reducing assessment time, especially for urgent needs.

Explanation

Exchange rates and tariffs are associated with international sourcing.

The other options are concerns for both local sourcing and international sourcing.

A credit rating is one of many tools used to assess a supplier’s financial health. Responsible sourcing requires a comprehensive assessment of suppliers, considering multiple factors, to ensure a balanced and ethical approach to supplier selection.

Under EXW (Ex Works) the seller prices only for making goods available at their premises; the buyer bears transport, export formalities, main carriage, and risk from collection. Because the seller’s obligations are minimal, the quoted unit price is typically the lowest. Delivered terms (DAP/DDP/CPT) add seller costs and risk, raising the price.

Explanation

The CIPS Code of Conduct says to adhere to all laws of countries in which I practice. So if you're in the UK and procure stuff from China, you need to abide by both UK and Chinese laws, not just UK laws.

There's no international procurement laws- these are all different for different countries.

ILO doesn't publish laws.

Explanation

The correct answers are; suspiciously low labour costs, workers living on site and poor quality products (as this signals that the workforce may be unskilled).

A low score on the CPI is a good thing (high scores are more likely to signify slavery concerns) and just because someone speaks English as a second language doesn't mean you automatically need to be suspicious. That would be prejudice.

Good governance in procurement requires collaboration. The buyer provides expertise in sourcing methods, evaluation, and compliance with procurement rules, but decisions should also involve business managers who understand operational needs. Acting independently could cause conflict and undermine accountability. Conversely, leaving all decisions to managers risks bypassing procurement expertise. The best practice is for procurement to advise and recommend, while engaging stakeholders in final award decisions, ensuring transparency, fairness, and shared accountability. This balances compliance with ethical sourcing requirements and operational business needs.

Public sector procurement is bound by transparency, fairness, and value-for-money principles. Once minimum thresholds are met, evaluation must be based on pre-published weighted criteria (often combining price, quality, sustainability, and social value). Sole reliance on price or location would breach fairness and equal treatment obligations. Weighted scoring ensures that decisions are objective, defendable, and aligned with responsible sourcing principles. This also allows ethical and sustainability considerations to be formally scored alongside commercial ones, reinforcing good governance.

In addition to price, factors like lead times, add-on costs, and past performance are important to ensure the supplier meets the buyer's requirements sustainably and reliably. These criteria align with ethical sourcing by promoting value and accountability beyond just cost considerations.

Explanation

New organisations or those with no loans/ credit cards may have low credit scores. This is simply because they do not have enough financial history to make their scores good. That means banks au-tomatically class them as higher risk, because they simply don't know that they're trustworthy yet.

Explanation

A cash flow statement shows the money coming in and out. This would therefore show whether a supplier has enough money coming in, to be able to pay some of it out to a subcontractor.

P&L and Balance Sheets look more broadly at finances, rather than saying what's physically in the bank at a specific given time.

Do learn the difference between these three financial documents for the exam.

Balance Sheet: Explanation, Components, and Examples (investopedia.com)

Profit and Loss Statement Meaning, Importance, Types, and Examples (investopedia.com)

Cash Flow Statement: How to Read and Understand It (investopedia.com)

Supply market analysis involves identifying competitive pressures and external influences. Porter’s Five Forces assesses supplier power, buyer power, threat of substitutes, new entrants, and rivalry — directly relevant to market dynamics. STEEPLED analysis considers external macro-environmental factors (social, technological, economic, environmental, political, legal, ethical, demographic). By contrast, Porter’s Value Chain analyses internal activities of a single organisation, while the Ishikawa diagram is a root-cause tool for problem-solving, not market analysis. Using the correct tools ensures sourcing decisions account for risks and opportunities at both industry and macro levels.

Explanation

a factory ordering a new machine is the correct answer.

Strategic sourcing is for high value, high risk items. The other options given are tactical sourcing as they are low value (eggs, paper and plastic cups).

See p.3 for the differences between tactical and strategic sourcing

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) measures the average change over time in the prices paid by consumers for a market basket of goods and services. It reflects price variations in specific geographical locations and tracks the weighted average prices of selected commodities, providing insights into inflation and cost of living.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"The Consumer Price Index (CPI) tracks variations in prices for a range of consumer goods and services over time, in a particular geographic location."

Thecurrent ratiomeasures a supplier’s ability to meet short-term financial obligations and is calculated astotal current assets divided by total current liabilities. Current assets include cash, receivables, and inventory, while current liabilities include overdrafts, trade payables, and short-term debt. Equity capital relates to ownership, not liquidity, and sales income and cost of goods sold appear in the income statement, not the balance sheet. Ethical and responsible sourcing requires procurement professionals to assess supplier liquidity to reduce the risk of supply disruption caused by cash-flow problems.

Explanation

"Meet current liabilities" is a posh way of saying "can you pay your bills". You're therefore looking for a liquidity ratio- a ratio that looks at assets vs liabilities (i.e. money in the bank vs money owed out). The Acid Test is a liquidity ratio. It's sometimes called the 'quick ratio'. Both terms come up on the exam. The other options are financial ratios but aren't for liquidity.

Capacity and compatibility are critical factors in supplier appraisal. Evaluating these factors ensures that the supplier can meet the buyer’s requirements in terms of production capacity and aligns with responsible sourcing by ensuring the supplier’s values and practices are compatible with the buyer’s expectations.

Explanation

96 is the correct answer- weighted point systems should add up to 100 (as in 100%)

Sourcing relates to identifying suppliers (E) and requesting quotations (D) as part of the market engagement stage of the procurement cycle. By contrast, creating call-off orders, raising requisitions, and goods receipting are post-contract operational activities. Responsible sourcing highlights that supplier identification and quotations are key to ensuring ethical, competitive, and compliant supply chains. These activities help ensure alignment with organisational goals, supplier diversity, and sustainability objectives.

Protectionist measures are policies implemented by governments to protect domestic industries from foreign competition. One common protectionist measure is the imposition of import duties, which are taxes levied on imported goods. These duties make imported products more expensive, encouraging consumers to buy domestic products instead. Buyers sourcing internationally must be aware of such duties as they directly impact the total cost of procurement.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Furthermore, there are many potential cost considerations when importing goods which can include taxes & duties or storage costs. By understanding all key legal, regulatory and organizational requirements prior to sourcing from international suppliers, businesses can ensure compliance while also maximizing cost savings."

The withholding of passports is a potential indication of modern slavery, and the offer of a discount to avoid reporting this is a form of bribery. Reporting these ethical concerns aligns with responsiblesourcing practices and is critical for maintaining a supply chain free from human rights abuses.

Explanation

Eamon should use a cross-functional team (this rules out two of the options). The purpose of using a cross-functional team is to use the knowledge of people from other departments as they may better understand the service required and help assess any technical questions. Therefore a cross-functional team of procurement personnel, isn't cross-functional (they're all the same function). Yoyos is a bit of a silly example, the exam questions are a little more serious- but the learning outcome is the same; use a cross-functional team to evaluate bids.

Compliance with fair trade standards demonstrates the supplier's commitment to social responsibility, including fair wages and ethical working conditions. This aligns with responsible sourcing practices, ensuring that suppliers maintain ethical labor standards, as advocated in the principles of ethical sourcing.

In situations of global commodity shortages, basic supply-and-demand principles mean that prices increase when demand remains constant or high. This reduces the buyer’s bargaining power, making it difficult to negotiate lower prices (C). Instead, suppliers are likely to increase costs due to scarcity. Options A and D are incorrect because reduced availability drives prices up, not down. Option B is misleading — prices are affected by shortages. Responsible sourcing requires procurement professionals to anticipate such volatility through market intelligence, consider alternative supply sources, or explore hedging/forward contracts to mitigate risks.

Explanation

Plastic is not a commodity. A commodity is something that is naturally occurring and plastic is manufactured. The other category of commodity is agriculture.

Explanation

An oligopoly. Perfect competition is a situation in a marketplace where there is plenty of competition. A monopoly or monopolistic competition would have 'imperfect competition'

Outsourcing critical functions like cybersecurity can lead to a loss of in-house expertise, which is a strategic cost. This loss may impact the organization's ability to respond swiftly to security threats, innovate, and maintain control over sensitive operations. Retaining core competencies is vital for sustaining competitive advantage and ensuring long-term resilience.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Outsourcing core activities risks – loss of in-house skill, loss of key staff to competitors, risk that supplier cannot be found, loss of control over operating activities, risk of loss of control over confidential information/IP.

Explanation

The correct answers are 'it is easy to drive down costs' (as you can pit the suppliers against each other) and 'low risk of failure to supply' (if one supplier can't provide what you need, the other supplier might be able to).

Economies of scale and supplier loyalty are advantages of single-sourcing.

There is a risk of failure to supply is a risk associated with single sourcing.

There's a useful table of advantages and disadvantages of single / multi sourcing on p.22. Types of sourcing is a key topic for the exam.

When evaluating quotations, responsible buyers must look beyond headline price. Lead times (1) affect operational continuity. Add-on costs (2) (e.g., packaging, delivery, handling) can significantly change total cost. Past performance (4) demonstrates reliability and quality, crucial for ethical and sustainable sourcing. Wastage rates (3) may be relevant but are typically assessed in performance monitoring, not initial quotation evaluation. This holistic view aligns with the total cost of ownership (TCO) approach promoted by CIPS, ensuring procurement decisions account for both direct and indirect impacts.

In the sourcing process, obtaining necessary approvals (such as drawings for the invitation to tender) is critical to ensure clarity and readiness before engaging with suppliers. Responsible sourcing emphasizes structured preparation, ensuring compliance and accuracy in supplier expectations.

The decision to make a product internally rather than sourcing it externally is influenced by several factors. One of the primary considerations is the availability of in-house competencies and capacity. If an organisation possesses the necessary skills, technology, and resources to produce the required goods or services efficiently, it may opt for internal production to maintain control over quality, reduce costs, and protect proprietary information.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Make or buy decisions take into account: product/service is core, the organisation's capacity to make, current market (cost saving with economy of scales and/or logistics), amount of competition."

Tariffs/import duties increase the landed cost of imports, which shields domestic producers by making foreign alternatives relatively more expensive. They do not go to the foreign supplier and typically do not lower consumer prices.

Loss of control and loss of private information are significant risks in outsourcing. Responsible sourcing involves mitigating these risks by setting clear agreements, monitoring, and safeguarding sensitive information to maintain control over outsourced activities.

Explanation

A Bill of Exchange is a payment instruction - it says who will pay whom and when.

Bill of Exchange Definition: Examples and How It Works (investopedia.com)

Financial assessments help ensure a supplier can meet the demands of a high-value contract without disruptions. This aligns with responsible sourcing principles by promoting stable supplier relationships and reducing the risk of supply chain interruptions due to financial instability.

A Bill of Lading is a critical shipping document in international trade, serving as a receipt for shipped goods and a contract between the shipper and carrier. It is essential for customs clearance and is recognized as a valid document for importing goods into the EU.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"The Bill of Lading (B/L) is a document issued by the shipping company to the operating shipper, which acknowledges that the goods have been received on board."

Explanation

ILO = the International Labour Organisation.

ISO is the International Standardisation Organisation- they also come up in this exam.

Fair Trade is about paying suppliers properly.

WWF is the World Wildlife Foundation, or if you watched wrestling in the 90s, the original WWE. You do not need to know about wildlife or wrestling for this exam.

Astrategic allianceis most appropriate in asingle sourcingarrangement where the buyer relies on one supplier for a significant proportion of supply. Single sourcing encourages long-term collaboration, trust, joint investment, innovation, and shared risk management. Strategic alliances are not suitable for competitive or multiple sourcing, where maintaining competition and switching flexibility is the priority. Internal sourcing does not involve an external supplier relationship. Ethical and responsible sourcing promotes strategic alliances where long-term value, sustainability, quality improvement, and supply continuity are critical to organisational success.

Explanation

gross profit = total revenue - cost of sales.

Learn all you can about financial ratios and financial statements for the exam- it's a very common topic

Multiple sourcing is most suitable for strategically important, high-value requirements such as raw materials. This approach reduces dependency on a single supplier, improves resilience, and increases competition. One-off requirements like machinery (A) are not suited to multiple sourcing, while options B and D describe disadvantages, not benefits. Responsible sourcing requires risk mitigation strategies tailored to the category, and multiple sourcing is effective where continuity and bargaining power are critical.

Explanation

The best way to deal with potential Conflicts of Interest is to openly declare these. Just because you have a relationship with someone doesn't mean this is going to be an issue or lead to fraud, but it is a good idea to keep a written record of these.

It wouldn't be a risk register, because how can you rate someone's risk of doing something dodgy? Risk registers are for objective risks such as Health and Safety.

To maintain integrity and avoid conflicts of interest, Tracey should declare the conflict and remove herself from the tender process. Ethical sourcing practices emphasize transparency and fairness, which prevent potential biases and maintain trust within procurement processes.

Explanation

they are stock markets.

What is the FTSE 100 Index? Complete Beginner's Guide (moneycheck.com)

BSE SENSEX – Wikipedia

For urgent, low-value local services, targeted sourcing (e.g., RFQs to pre-vetted suppliers) is more efficient than open advertising that can create excess, low-quality responses and slow down delivery. Responsible practice also considers proportionality and timely risk control.

Explanation

EBITDA stands for 'earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization'. This is a profitability ratio and would show how profitable a business is.

EBITDA: Definition, Calculation Formulas, History, and Criticisms (investopedia.com)

Gearing is a measure of a supplier’slong-term financial riskand indicates the proportion of debt used to finance the organisation compared with equity. It is calculated usinglong-term debt (such as long-term loans)in relation toshareholders’ equity (ordinary share capital). High gearing suggests greater reliance on borrowed funds, increasing the risk of financial instability and potential supply disruption. Cost of sales and operating costs relate to profitability, while current liabilities are short-term obligations assessed through liquidity ratios, not gearing. Procurement professionals must understand gearing when conducting financial due diligence to ensure suppliers are financially sustainable and capable of meeting long-term contractual commitments.

Under FOB (Free on Board), the buyer assumes responsibility once the goods are loaded onto the ship, including costs and risks beyond this point. This Incoterm is commonly used in international trade, helping both parties clarify responsibilities and promote fair risk distribution.

Under the EXW (Ex Works) Incoterm, the buyer assumes responsibility for transportation and export clearance from the seller’s premises. This term aligns with cost-saving measures and the buyer’s internal capabilities for logistics, supporting efficient and responsible sourcing.

Explanation

a balance sheet shows 'equity, assets and liabilities'. The other financial statements you need to know for this exam are cash flow statements and and income statements.

If you're not familiar with these three I strongly recommend you do some further reading on this before the exam if you can. This is helpful: How the 3 Financial Statements are Linked Together - Step by Step (corporatefinanceinstitute.com)

Analysing expenditure data by product category or supplier enables procurement managers to:

Negotiate Better Prices:Identifying high-spend areas or suppliers can provide leverage in negotiations, leading to cost reductions.

Monitor Cost Trends:Tracking expenditure over time helps in understanding cost fluctuations, budgeting, and forecasting future spend.

Exact Extract from Study Guide:

"Spend analysis is a process that analyses the historical spend data of your organisation to provide answers to questions concerning spend visibility, compliance, and cost-saving opportunities."