Doing it right - Which factors drive ethical procurement?

The research was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Corvinus University of Budapest. Approval No. KRH358/2024.

Abstract

Recent developments have introduced significant challenges to ensuring supply continuity for purchasing professionals. However, limited research exists on how these individuals perceive the ethical dimensions of these emerging challenges. This study conducts a review of the procurement and supply chain literature to identify key factors influencing ethical behaviour comprehensively. To refine and prioritize these factors, a multi-stage Delphi analysis was conducted with a panel of 30 procurement experts. The findings offer a structured overview of the factors based on their perceived importance and the level of expert consensus. The results suggest that while business ethics have been studied within procurement and supply chain contexts, evolving conditions present new ethical considerations that merit further investigation. The set of 21 identified factors, of which 11 are based on the literature and 10 were identified during the study, provides a more holistic perspective on the determinants shaping ethical behaviour within procurement practices. Challenges in supply management that demand swift responses indicate that informal components of ethical culture are particularly influential: notably, the personal values of individuals play a significant role; however, greater attention should be paid to leadership influence, the strategic importance attributed to procurement, and differences of procurement situations. From a theoretical perspective, the results underscore the need to expand existing ethical frameworks to better address the complexities of supply chains. The practical implication is that, in the case of supply chain disruptions, efforts should be made to strengthen informal control instruments related to corporate transparency.