History of pubilc procurement Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

History of pubilc procurement - Term Paper Example It is also considered as the main element in the way public funds are utilized, hence enhancing public trust in procurement (Beth & OECD 19). Public procurement has been in existence since 1778 and has led to the implementation of public procurement law, which regulates the purchasing made by public sectors that contract goods, services and work. Public procurement is regulated in most countries to avoid corruption, fraud, and waste; indeed, public tenders are issued by a public authority when the value of procurement exceeds the required threshold. Today, public procurement is becoming more complex, forcing the public procurement officials to deal with the changing issues based on fairness, transparency, integrity, and equity, which are the principles of public procurement (Beth & OECD 18). The History of Public Procurement According to Thai (13), the first purchasing action was conducted in 1778, with the approval of the continental congress on the appointment of purchasing commiss ionaires. By the end of that year, the purchasing officers had been placed on a salary, with an aim of avoiding fraud. The congress thereafter passed a Purchasing Act, which permitted war and treasury departments to make purchases in the name of the United States. The first procurement was made in 1794 for the new United States navy; however, this procurement was accompanied by negative experiences, which led to the implementation of purveyor of Public Supplies Act, a procurement legislation that was the basis for military procurement. Misconducts and fraud cases led to the implementation of Public Contract Act of 1808, which warned members of the congress from using government contracts for personal interest (Thai 13). In the United States, public procurement organizations vary with the size of the government units; however, it has a complicated procurement structure. The federal procurement operates within a democratic framework, which is under the legislative, judiciary, and exec utive branches. Nevertheless, the courts are not involved in setting procurement policies and rules; however, they try the legal cases that involve contract disputes. The congress passes the laws that establish procurement policies and procedures; it also allocates specified funds for the procurement purposes within the time required (Thai 19). Public procurement also encounters several challenges. This function has a great impact on the country’s economy; hence, efficient handling of public procurement has proved to be a challenge. Ensuring that the principles of public procurement are followed to the later is also a challenging task. This includes ensuring that fair competition for the bidders is granted, promoting transparency, and ensuring that the allocated loans are used for the specified purposes only. Thirdly, public procurement is associated with fraud, waste, and corruption, hence a major challenge for a country. In addition, public procurement practitioners face th e challenge of complying with their home government regulations without violating the international trade agreements like the World Trade Organization (WTO). Today, the government has enacted several laws pertaining to public procurement, among them being the Public Act whose aim is to enact laws relating to public contracts. An example is the federal acquisition regulation and agency, which provides uniform procedures for federal agency acquisitions. The Truth in Negotiation Act of 1962 establishes rules that

Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Analysis of an Ethical Dilemma - Essay Example It will further establish the relationship between company ethics and ethical dilemma. The paper concludes that, though the company has its business strategy and goals, it is faced with ethical challenges within the stakeholders and shareholders. Therefore, the group should not only focus on growth, but also put into consideration the ethical impact of its operations on employees, the government, customers, suppliers, and the community. Ethical dilemma Business ethic is vital for any business entity to gain a competitive edge and attain its goals. Ethics ensure observation of morals and code of conduct within an organization as well as its operation with its stakeholders. Business ethics disciplines employees and other stakeholders as it defines what is wrong and what is right. At times, organizations experience conflict of interests with its employees, society, the business environment as well as the government policies. When such differences arise, the management decision-making or gan has to decide, harmonize, and reconcile the conflicting interests. For an organization to avoid and solve ethical dilemmas, it should be able to have a sound decision-making body. The body should be able to collect as many information and material facts as the situation permits. It should then identify the relevant and key ethical issue and consider alternative viewpoints. When dealing with ethical issues, it is crucial to identify, measure, and prioritize the effects on different stakeholders. This is because the effect may vary from one stakeholder to another due to their diverse interests and concerns. The decision makers should then consider what effort it has put towards the issue and how committed it is to solve the issue. This will enable the management to understand its failure and evaluate its commitment to the organization. In order to establish a well serving solution to the issue, the management should identify the available options for the issue. A variety of course of action will allow it choose the best action since they will be able in a position to analyze the consequences attached to each option. These consequences may be either long term or short term to the business. Positive results will be of much importance and the option with such results should be emulated while negative results will harm the business therefore, should be avoided. The practicality of benefitting options should be identified and the impacts upon ones character and integrity. The management should then pick most beneficial and practical course of action as it fits the situation better. Causes of ethical dilemma In a perfect business environment, employees and employers would always do the right and perfect thing while conducting business. However, ethical dilemmas are present in every workplace, as people have to make a very difficult choice between moral and immoral (Touchstone, 2008). Employees should handle work related pressure to perform well and facilitate comp any goals and objectives achievement. At times, employees experience temptations to apply the shortest route possible; to achieve targets or even handle the pressure. The shortcuts may be immoral or against the company policies. Therefore, pressure from management regarding profits and results can push employees to act immoral and witnesses not whistle blow for fear of victimization. Ambitions and discrimination also causes ethical dilemma especially when some employees are under hunger for