L4M6 Supplier Relationships Questions and Answers

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘It can lead to a lack of trust’ – this is a quote from p.162. The other answers are all incorrect; in a partnership KPIs are joint between the parties– so there wouldn’t be a situation where one party doesn’t fulfil their KPIs. Commitment doesn’t necessarily have a direct correlation with profit so that answer is incorrect. ‘Sufficient time and resources are put in’ is a positive thing, so can’t be a reason who a partnership fails.

Explanation

The correct answer is TUPE: Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment). Details on TUPE can be found on p.115

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘No- good levels of communication can exist in other types of relationships’. The study guide makes a point that not all good buyer: supplier relationships are partnerships. In fact 70% on supplier relationships will not be partnerships (according to Lambert who is quoted on p.131)

Forward buying involves purchasing in advance to lock in current prices and avoid future increases. This strategy is effective in volatile markets where price hikes are anticipated.

Confidentiality is critical in professional relationships, especially for law firms, as they handle sensitive client information. Ensuring that all legal obligations to protect this information are met aligns with ethical and legal best practices.

Supplier pre-qualification is used to assess the suitability, capacity, and stability of suppliers before awarding contracts. While financial stability is important, CIPS emphasizes that it is not the only factor. Other considerations include technical capability, quality assurance, compliance with legislation, and sustainability of supply. Profitability ratios alone cannot determine suitability.

Explanation

The three right answers are competing, collaborating and compromising. See the Thomas Kilmann Model on p.87. There are quite a few questions on this in the exam.

Explanation

This is an example of poor-communication. The information was not passed from the person who signed the contract to the staff on site who were to do the cleaning. See p.158 on communication issues.

The relationship qualifies as a partnership due to their collaboration, shared investments, and mutual efforts toward improvement, regardless of the absence of formal contracts. Partnerships focus on shared goals, trust, and strategic alignment rather than mere documentation.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

In Michael Porter's Value Chain model, primary activities are those that are directly involved in the creation and delivery of a product or service. These include:

Inbound Logistics:Activities related to receiving, storing, and distributing inputs internally.

Operations:Transforming inputs into the final product.

Outbound Logistics:Distributing the final product to customers.

Marketing and Sales:Activities that inform buyers about products and services, induce buyers to purchase them, and facilitate their purchase.

Service:Activities that maintain and enhance the product's value, such as customer support and repair services.

Firm infrastructure and technology development are considered support activities, as they assist the primary activities in helping the organization achieve its competitive advantage.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Traditional contracting agreements are typically characterized by:

Short-Term Focus:These agreements often prioritize immediate needs over long-term collaboration.

Transactional Nature:Emphasis is on price and terms rather than building strategic partnerships.

Explanation

This QUESTION NO: refers to Porter's Value Chain (p.35). There's a couple of questions on this in the exam so try to learn it. Primary activities are; inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, after sales- service

Explanation

in tiered supply chains, a closer-tactical relationship could be used between a buyer and a supplier who will be responsible for co-ordinating the activities of other suppliers (p.8 of the textbook).

Leverage products are characterized by high spend and low complexity, giving buyers the ability to negotiate favorable terms due to supplier competition and standardization.

Explanation

Value for money is not a principle of EU procurement. The four key principles are; transparency, non-discrimination, proportionality and equality of treatment. The principles are basically about ensuring the procurement process is fair. See p.75

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

A performance specification outlines the desired outcomes or results without prescribing the exact methods to achieve them. This approach allows suppliers the flexibility to use their expertise and creativity to meet the buyer's requirements, thereby encouraging innovation.

Explanation

Tim should do an audit. P.71 of the textbook says “to ensure that a procurement department is achieving value for money, an audit should be undertaken”

Explanation

It can be difficult for buyers in the private sector to build relationships with suppliers because of rules that state competitive tenders must be undertaken every few years (within the EU this is usually every 4). This means that both parties aren’t as invested in developing the relationship as it’s possible the contact will end shortly. Competitive tendering is a requirement in the public sector to ensure value for money for taxpayers. See p.79 for further details. There are no rules stating Public Sector organisations can’t have good relationships with suppliers, and in fact most will have good relationships with their current suppliers- the issue is that neither party can get too invested in the relationship as everyone knows it may end shortly. There are rules, however, against entering into Partnership relationships (which is discussed in chapter 3).

Defining standards ensures clear expectations and provides a foundation for accountability and alignment, which are critical for the success of any partnership.

Explanation

The 5 Rights of procurement are; place, quality, quantity, time, price. (Price and Cost are not the same thing). See p.38

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The Kraljic Matrix is a strategic tool used to segment the supply base and develop differentiated purchasing strategies based on two key dimensions:

Profit Impact (Level of Spend):This refers to the financial significance of the item or service to the organization. High expenditure items have a greater impact on profitability and thus require more strategic sourcing approaches.

Supply Risk (Market Structure):This pertains to the complexity and dynamics of the supply market, including factors like the number of suppliers, market competitiveness, and potential for supply disruptions. Understanding the market structure helps in assessing the risk associated with sourcing particular items.

By analyzing these two factors, organizations can categorize their purchases into four quadrants—non-critical, leverage, bottleneck, and strategic items—and tailor their sourcing strategies accordingly.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Leverage products are characterized by:

High profit impact:They significantly affect the company's bottom line.

Low supply risk:They are available from multiple suppliers, making it easy to switch if necessary.

These products often have standardized quality, and the competitive supply market allows buyers to negotiate favorable terms.

Partnership sourcing is suitable for products that contribute to the buying organization's unique selling point (USP) and for critical products on which key customers depend. This approach ensures strategic alignment and mutual benefits for both parties, focusing on collaboration rather than cost alone.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Cultural compatibility is crucial in partnership relationships. Differences in corporate culture can lead to misunderstandings, misaligned objectives, and conflicts, ultimately jeopardizing the partnership's success. Therefore, assessing cultural compatibility at the outset is essential.

Explanation

The reason for outsourcing in this example is that the IT firm is an expert in their field. The requirement is complex and important and this is the reason why it is not being delivered in-house. The other answers given CAN be reasons for out-sourcing, but don't relate to this example. For a full list of reasons a company could use outsourcing see p. 4-5

The primary objective of cost modelling is to dissect and comprehend the components that constitute a supplier's pricing. By understanding the supplier's pricing strategy, the buyer can identify cost drivers, negotiate more effectively, and seek opportunities for cost savings. This approach aligns with the CIPS L4M6 guidelines, emphasizing the importance of transparency and collaboration in supplier relationships.

Explanation

Barriers to entry are economies of scale (in the air travel industry you can't just start off small and grow), access to capital (you need to already have a lot of money to buy airplanes) and licences and permits (you need to ensure you have the correct licences to fly planes). These are listed on p.41. Other barriers include; strong brand identity already dominant in the market, high switching costs for buyers, access to distribution networks and government policy.

Explanation

The correct answers are; tradeshows, internal stakeholders’ knowledge and e-procurement platforms. Intranet is incorrect as this is an internal system so you wouldn’t find information on external suppliers on here the careful not to confuse intranet with internet). OJEU is also incorrect; this is the platform on which tender opportunities in the public sector are published- its not a list of suppliers.

Explanation

Supplier relationships can result in value for money in the reduction of waste and in innovation developed as part of collaborative projects. Remember that in CIPS waste doesn’t necessarily mean physical waste (as in stuff you don’t want any more). There are 7 types of waste including waiting, inventory, transportation etc. So when you develop a relationship with a supplier, this can reduce waste (e.g. you may be able to get deliveries quicker by integrating your ordering system with the supplier’s, or you might reduce transportation by agreeing a Consignment stock). Having a good relationship with a supplier isn’t necessarily going to get you a reduction in cost or better payment terms. See p.70 for more details on this- there’s a short list of ways in which good supplier relationships can bring value for money to a business.

Explanation

The correct answers are; no tender process, early supplier involvement and no defined end-period. A partnership wouldn’t automatically mean lower costs, and in a partnership the KPIs are usually a joint performance measurement rather than set to the supplier. For more information on the difference between partnerships and contractual relationships see p.124-5

Complex and technical suppliers often involve high financial risks due to the critical nature of their products. A close relationship ensures better collaboration, risk management, and value generation.

Partnerships require careful planning, including alignment of goals, stakeholder involvement, and clear expectations. Poor planning leads to unmet objectives and lack of value generation, as highlighted by CIPS.

Explanation

This is category 'A' spend in the ABC model - they represent a large value and a small number of purchases / suppliers. See p.17 for more information on the ABC Analysis

Explanation

Pablo should use a ‘cross-functional team’. CIPS love ‘cross-functional teams’ and refer to them frequently throughout the study guide. A cross-functional team is people from different departments who come together for a purpose, such as to evaluate a tender. The benefit of using a cross-functional team is that you get people with different experiences and knowledge. So in this example a Cross-Functional team could compose of people from various departments such as procurement, logistics, manufacturing and legal. P.76

Explanation

Open Tender processes are a one-stage process which issues and ITT. It has no PQQ (selection) stage. P. 77

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The supplier relationship lifecycle comprises several stages that outline the progression of the buyer-supplier relationship. One of these stages isMeasuring, which involves assessing the supplier's performance against agreed-upon metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). This stage is crucial for ensuring that the supplier meets the organization's expectations and for identifying areas for improvement.

Explanation

Equity is the fourth E- this means the extent to which the service is available. See p.65 for details on the 4 Es

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Effective cost modelling is a process that helps in understanding the cost structure of a product or service. It involves:

Data gathering:Collecting relevant data related to materials, labor, overheads, and other cost drivers.

Analysis of facts:Evaluating the collected data to understand cost behaviors and identify areas for cost reduction.

Supplier negotiation and issuing a request for quotation are subsequent steps that may utilize the insights gained from cost modelling but are not part of the modelling process itself.

Explanation

The definition of value mapping is given on p.69 this is; ‘a process in which value is created through the elimination of waste and operational inefficiencies’. It ties into JIT / Lean.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Partnering is most suitable in scenarios involving high-risk contracts, where the complexity, uncertainty, or strategic importance of the procurement necessitates close collaboration between the buyer and supplier. In such cases, a partnership allows for shared risk management, joint problem-solving, and mutual investment in achieving long-term objectives. This approach is less appropriate for low-cost, low-risk, or commoditized items where transactional relationships suffice.

Explanation

Friendly Flour Ltd is a strategic supplier; this is a critical supplier, responsible for core products. They represent a high risk impact and a high cost impact. This is the top-right hand corner of the Kraljic matrix. There are lots of questions on Kraljic in the exam - do revise this topic and ensure you understand each of the four quadrants of the matrix (see p.20)

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘no-the contract is not of significant value’. CIPS state that competitive tenders should only be used when ‘the item or service is of significant value’ p.73. Debbie could continue using the same supplier, but she should organise a contract extension or a new contract if she does.

Buyers with a strong brand profile and adherence to ethical standards attract suppliers, as they provide market prestige and assurance of fair practices. This aligns with CIPS's emphasis on ethical procurement.

Intense rivalry occurs when suppliers are equally balanced and face high barriers to exit, leading to aggressive competition to retain market share, as described in Porter’s Five Forces model.

Explanation

A PIN is a ‘prior information notice’ – it is sent out before the ITT to let suppliers know that an opportunity is coming up and they should look out for it. See p 72 “supplier identification- public sector” for more details.

Explanation

Pareto is the 80:20 rule- this can be adapted to talk about supplier relationships, where instead of having 2 categories there are now 3 (A B and C). CIPS use the terms Pareto and ABC interchangeably. See p.16 for further information

Explanation

Victoria should use a ‘request for proposal’ – this allows the security firms to submit ideas on how best to serve the hotel. They might come up with some ideas that Victoria hasn’t thought about and can price against their own ideas. As Victoria doesn’t have a concrete specification, an ITT or RFQ are not appropriate. A PIN tells suppliers that a tender opportunity is coming up and is used in the Public Sector. A hotel is not a Public Sector organisation. See p.76 for more information on when to issue a Request for Proposal

Explanation

partnerships are always win: win p.7

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘Yes- mediation involves a neutral third party and gets both parties to attempt to reach a compromise’. Be careful not to confuse mediation with arbitration – arbitration is when the buyer and supplier agree to accept a third party’s decision which will solve the disagreement issues. See p.112 for more information on solving disputes

A partnership relationship allows Joseph to collaborate with suppliers on cost savings in manufacturing, logistics, and installation, providing a competitive edge over rival companies.

Explanation

The Handfield ESI model is on p.98 and comprises of Black Box, Grey Box, White Box and None. Therefore Red and Blue can be automatically discounted. The correct answer is White Box as the definition given is correct. Grey Box is a formalised supplier integration; joint development activity between buyer and supplier. I have no idea why Handfield calls his system after coloured boxes- but it’s only briefly mentioned in the study guide and is not likely to be a big topic in the exam.

Routine suppliers typically supply low-value, low-risk items. Maintaining partnerships in such cases is inefficient since alternative suppliers are readily available. Adopting a transactional or adversarial relationship would be more appropriate.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

Partnership arrangements often lead to price stability, as both parties work collaboratively to manage costs and avoid market volatility. Additionally, such relationships can result in cost savings through joint process improvements, shared investments, and economies of scale. While managing a partnership does incur relationship management costs, these are typically offset by the benefits gained. Supplier complacency is a potential risk but not an inherent advantage of partnerships.

Explanation

The housekeeping team have low power and high interest. According to Mendelow’s stakeholder matrix, this puts them in the bottom right corner which is ‘keep informed’. See p.81 for more information

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

The accommodating conflict management style is characterized by a low concern for self and a high concern for others. This approach involves yielding to others' needs and maintaining harmony, which can be appropriate in situations where preserving relationships is more important than achieving personal goals.

In the context of a commercially sensitive outsourcing project, adopting an accommodating approach may be suitable to ensure stakeholder cooperation and minimize conflict.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

When a buyer selects a single supplier for a specific period, such as a one-year contract, and excludes other suppliers during this time, this is referred to as asingle sourcedrelationship. This approach is often used to consolidate purchases, achieve economies of scale, and build a more streamlined procurement process for specific goods or services.

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘Strong levels of trust and honest communication’. The questions on Partnership in the exam tend to be quite straightforward, but if you’re struggling with this see p. 148 for further details of behaviour in Partnerships.

Early engagement with the whole market is crucial when entering a new technical domain. It allows the company to assess the capabilities, innovations, and fit of various suppliers before locking down specifications. CIPS guidance emphasizes the value of market engagement in developing effective specifications and selecting the right partner.

Partnerships are built on trust and transparency, with shared benefits such as cost reductions and improved processes. Adversarial relationships, in contrast, focus on price and contractual obligations.

Explanation

They could outsource cleaning and facilities management. These are auxiliary services. The manufacturing of bike parts is their 'core' business so they should retain this in-house

Explanation

The correct answer is ‘The product is easy to source elsewhere’. The other three are given as reasons a marketplace might be restricted on p.138. Other reasons also include; brand loyalty, difficult access to distribution channels, and companies colluding.

Partnerships emphasize collaboration, shared risks, and mutual benefits. Unlike adversarial or transactional relationships, they focus on long-term goals and joint value creation.

Explanation

In a 'perfect competition' there are no barriers to entry or exit, and competition is at its highest possible level. For more information on different types of market see p.40

Legitimate reasons for contract termination under CIPS guidelines include failure to perform duties and serious breaches of contract terms. Ordering errors or changes in stakeholder needs are not valid termination grounds unless explicitly stated in the contract. This protects both parties from unjustified termination risks.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

For high-value and high-risk contracts, such as facilities management services for multiple schools,competitive tenderingis the most appropriate sourcing approach. This process involves inviting multiple suppliers to submit bids, ensuring transparency, fairness, and the opportunity to assess various proposals to select the most suitable supplier. It helps in mitigating risks and achieving value for money.

Comprehensive and Detailed Explanation:

A Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) is a legal contract that establishes a confidential relationship between parties. It ensures that any sensitive information shared during the course of a partnership is not disclosed to unauthorized parties. Implementing an NDA fosters trust by providing assurance that proprietary information, trade secrets, and other confidential data are protected. This is particularly crucial in partnerships where open communication and information sharing are essential for success.

Explanation

This is a threat of a new entrant. The competitor has now entered the washing machine market and is competing directly with you. This is not a threat of substitution as it is the same product. A substitution would be if they invented a new product that washed clothes and people started buying this instead of washing machines. There are many questions in the exam on Porter's 5 Forces - see p. 39

Explanation

Using an external supplier always comes with increased risk, as you become dependant upon them, and have less control over their performance (compared to an in-house team). In this example Harry will have the increased risk that the contract cleaners turn up late to their shifts, or don't do a good job. However, there is no reason to believe that the supplier will not perform as well as an internal team- we don't have enough information from the QUESTION NO: for this to be true. What is true is the RISK isgreater. The other answers are incorrect; the QUESTION NO: doesn't indicate whether outsourcing the cleaning will be more or less expensive for Harry. Allowing staff to focus on other areas is an advantage not a disadvantage. See p.4 for more information on 'External Suppliers'

Explanation

The correct answers are information sharing and trust. Further qualitative KPIs are listed on p.102. Deliveries in full and on time would be a quantitative KPI and early supplier involvement is not a KPI at all.