Ethics in public procurement: buying public trust
| Pages | 411-418 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JOPP-09-03-04-2009-B004 |
| Date | 01 March 2009 |
| Published date | 01 March 2009 |
| Author | Kelly Hunsaker |
| Subject Matter | Public policy & environmental management,Politics,Public adminstration & management,Government,Economics,Public Finance/economics,Texation/public revenue |
JOURNAL OF PUBLIC PROCUREMENT, VOLUME 9, ISSUES 3 & 4, 411-418 2009
ETHICS IN PUBLIC PROCUREMENT:
BUYING PUBLIC TRUST
Kelly Hunsaker*
ABSTRACT. No procurement professional wants their name featured in the
negative headlines. Ethics is a significant issue when it comes to public
procurement. Public procurement professionals must keep abreast of not
only the laws that govern their practice, but be keenly aware of the need for
transparency in the way they conduct their transactions. The modern public
procurement department is faced with agency growth, ambiguity in
performance measurement, and keeping pace with modern procurement
trends. This article will present what an agency can do to thwart potential
ethics violations before they occur in the hopes of creating a more positive
public image.
INTRODUCTION
If you once forfeit the confidence of your fellow citizens, you
can never regain their respect and esteem (Abraham Lincoln).
Ethics is a significant issue when it comes to public
procurement. As procurement professionals, it is our responsibility to
ensure that the core values of honesty, integrity and transparency are
not only followed, but disseminated throughout the agencies for
which we work. The intent of this paper is to create a higher
awareness about ethics as it relates to public procurement in the
interest of promoting positive future business practices. After a brief
background on public procurement processes and trends in general,
ethics will be discussed in terms of related laws. Concluding remarks
will include scenarios discussing what individuals can do to enhance
the integrity of their own agency.
-------------------------
*Kelly Hunsaker is the agency asset manager and purchasing consultant for
the State of Washington, Department of Social and Health Services. She is a
certified professional public buyer and a member of the Washington Chapter
of the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc.
Copyright © 2009 by PrAcademics Press
To continue reading
Request your trial