CIPS Socially Responsible Procurement L3M5 Exam Questions

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Total 90 questions
Question 1

Which of the following would logically and normally be factors in the design and layout of a new warehouse?



Answer : A, B, D

Local wage rates would not be relevant, but all of the other factors shown would be.

In fact, these factors would be fundamental to this type of decision-making.

(L3M6)


Question 2

What proportion of transport energy consumption is accounted for by road transport, as opposed to rail, air and sea, according to the International Energy Authority?



Answer : B

Over ninety per cent of transport energy is consumed by road transport.

Each time you see a heavy lorry on the road, ask yourself why the goods were not transported by train. In many cases (long journeys, non-perishable goods, heavy or bulky items), it would be per-fectly feasible to move goods by train instead of by road, and at vastly reduced cost to the envi-ronment.


Question 3

Learning Outcome 2.2 of your course syllabus (for both L3M5 and L3M6) is 'Explain the environ-mental impact of transportation and storage'.

Which of the following are included as assessment criteria under that heading? Select all that apply.



Answer : A, B, C, D

The answer is 'all of them'.

It would be wise to ensure you have some understanding of how each of these criteria relates to / contributes towards the course overall.

For example, can you think of some examples of 'accidents' which can be said to illustrate a less-than-careful approach to business? (Clue: oil companies).


Question 4

What is being defined here: 'The assessment of a potential supplier's capability of controlling quali-ty, delivery, quantity, price and all other factors to be embodied in a contract'?



Answer : B

Pre-contracting a supplier, the term 'supplier appraisal' is favoured by CIPS; whereas once the sup-plier is in use, 'vendor rating' is the preferred term for monitoring actual performance.


Question 5

Issues of social responsibility can be challenging for organisations operating internationally. The Profex textbook for this subject discusses seven key underlying principles of social responsibility. One of these principles is 'international norms of XXX' referring to situations where the law of a country does not provide for adequate environmental or social safeguards. 'An organisation should as a minimum try to respect international norms of XXX.' What is the correct word to replace XXX?



Answer : C

'Behaviour' is the correct answer, although 'decency' would also make sense. The issue of how an organisation behaves within a host country can be vexed, with tensions between the organisational norms of behaviour and local / governmental norms. You may be able to think of your own exam-ples.


Question 6

What has been defined as: 'a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment'



Answer : B

This is a definition of sustainable procurement, from the Sustainable Procurement Task Force, quot-ed by Profex Publishing, L3M5, Ch 6.

The inclusion of terms like 'meet their needs' and 'value for money' point us in the direction of pro-curement, not just sustainability.


Question 7

'In the context of CSR, companies should have a XXX diverse workforce. It is argued that a XXX diverse workforce contributes to economic growth, since companies can benefit from the range of different perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge of individuals from diverse backgrounds'. Which kind of diversity is being referred to at XXX?



Answer : D

The correct answer is 'socially', because this includes elements of culture and economics / finance.

Essentially as broad an interpretation of 'diversity' should be used to deliver maximum benefit to the organisation.


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Total 90 questions