Your company wants to tender for building a local school. Your team was approached informally

Question

and was told the only way to get the tender is through bribery. Your company is built on ethical
principles. The following questions should be used as a guideline.
a) Discuss among your team whether bribery is an ethical business principle.
b) How will you deal with this situation?
c) Incorporate your company code of ethics in your final decision.

Answer 1

a) Discuss among your team whether bribery is an ethical business principle.
Our team should have an open and honest discussion about bribery as an ethical business principle. We need to evaluate the consequences and implications of engaging in such practices. Bribery involves offering money or gifts to influence someone's actions or decisions. It not only undermines fair competition but also promotes corruption and unfairness. We should consider our company's values, the laws and regulations in our jurisdiction, and the long-term sustainability of our business before making a decision.

b) How will you deal with this situation?
First and foremost, we need to reject any proposal related to bribery. Engaging in corrupt practices goes against our company's ethical standards and core principles. Instead, we should focus on presenting the strengths and capabilities of our company, emphasizing our expertise, quality, and the value we can provide for the local school project.

We can also consider reporting this informal approach to the appropriate authorities. By doing so, we can contribute to the eradication of corruption and ensure that the tendering process remains fair and transparent for all parties involved.

Additionally, we should explore alternative strategies to improve our chances of securing the tender. This could involve building strong relationships with the local community, presenting innovative and sustainable solutions, highlighting our track record of successful projects, and offering a competitive price.

c) Incorporate your company code of ethics in your final decision.
Our company's code of ethics states that we conduct our business with integrity, honesty, and transparency. We value fair competition, respect ethical and legal standards, and prioritize the well-being and satisfaction of our clients and communities. Engaging in bribery would not only contradict our code of ethics but could also lead to severe reputational damage and legal repercussions.

We must respect the integrity of the tender process and compete on our merits, skills, and experience. By adhering to our code of ethics, we can uphold our company's values and build a sustainable and reputable business that contributes positively to the local community.