Do you agree to the common perception that Procurement/Purchasing processes are infected with corrupt practices, in general?

Thanks for invitation.

Yes, it is common perception in some countries that procurement /purchasing are infected with corruption.  

Better perception could be built through transparent practices in preparation of specification/bid documents, bidding process, receipt of goods/ payment certification process, sharing of contract/purchase order with all concerned, auditing of procurement files on yearly basis  and sharing of audit findings publicly. 

It is noted here that most of the international organizations have developed detailed procurement manual/process and practice of auditing the procurement files on yearly basis. This approach has contributed effectively to eliminate corrupt/unfair practices 

Sure it does, since the contraction of interests between the company's and the personal interests.

For instance

Fraud and conflict of interest occur when public procurement practitioners can be influenced by a private or personal interest that could lead them to attempt to gain a personal advantage.

No transparency : When the copies of the contracts aren't kept open to any one.

 

But there are numerous ways where the corruption can be stopped and kept aside.

1. With transparency being one of the most effective ways of fighting corruption and malpractice in public procurement, EU countries are required to report violations of rules to national authorities, make the results of their monitoring activities public and submit a report to the Commission every 3 years on the most common sources of misapplication or legal uncertainty. Public purchasers must also keep copies of contracts of higher value for their entire duration and make them available to the public. Moreover, any public procurement award procedure must be covered by a specific report by the public purchaser explaining the main decisions relating to the procedure concerned, reporting any conflict of interests detected and steps taken in this regard, and be forwarded to the Commission/national authorities upon request.
2. The simplification of procedures and the greater use of electronic tools in public procurement are also important instruments in the fight against fraud and corruption. 
3. raise awareness of the rules among all public procurement actors (including the judiciary), to overhaul the organisation of its public sector with the aim that all public procurement officials share a common sense of public utility and public service, to strive to deliver optimal results for society, and to reconsider in depth the efficiency of its current public procurement and anti-corruption policy.
4. Better collection and analysis of data to improve public procurement governance such as ensuring better collection of data on procurement above and especially below EU thresholds, establishing contract registries for public procurement contracts, establishing public procurement irregularities databases based on remedies and audits, developing anomalies detection tools, ensuring interconnections between public procurement data and public and business registries and EU funds databases.

 

Yes! As long as uncovered sweets will have the attraction of flies towards it, there will always be the perception that improperly accounted and ungoverned procurement are exposed to infection with corrupt practices. 

In general yes, but there are causes and effects of corruption make it possible. But it can be avoided by choosing the right person for purchasing and to development the purchasing procedures and monitoring the process.

It is unfortunate that there is common perception of corruption in procurement. It is most detrimental to company's interests and should be weeded out at the soonest possible with top management setting up a neutral investigating panel leading to stern and decisive action at end of probe. Procurement is a process where commercial interests are involved, hence it is important that such process should be audited on regular intervals to ensure adherence to fair practices

Yes it is true, but if your company is having strong procedures and internal control especially the code of conduct can stop this wrong practice

Yes, I have seen it ... and I am proud to say that my integrety is still in tact... the temptations are large, but it is upto the induvidual to keep it honest and keep the companies best interest in mind when you do business.

Also do not forget not offend a vendor... you always can get guidence when you need it 

Sure it does, since the contraction of interests between the company's and the personal interests.

It is perception, yes. However, if procurement principles like separation of duties and 4 eye principle are implemented and audited, procurement is NOT the main place to look for corruption. Corruption should be looked for in direct bargaining requested by internal clients and in procurement bypasses.

Thanks for invite. 

Yes. In my small tenure i have seen few such cases. But i feel corrupt is quite heavy word in start for that, people in purchase/procurement are often pushed or pressurized for margin improvement for which they pursue unethical practices, when they continuously does this become corrupt.

I have think about think about it and only solution is Right work ethics. It should be followed strictly. When and where these practices or instances seen, should be reported, tackled immediately.     

I think no because big companies hire trusted persons if every one will agree on corrupt practices no one will deal with others