From Principles to Politics: How Ethics Have Evolved from the 1990s to Today

When I began my career in procurement in the 1990s, ethics were grounded in clear principles: integrity, fairness, and accountability. Back then, ethical standards in business and procurement were shaped by a shared commitment to doing what was right for the organization and its stakeholders. Today, while ethical frameworks are more formalized, their application often feels diluted—overshadowed by loopholes, political influence, and a growing tolerance for questionable behavior.

Ethics Then: A Foundation of Trust and Accountability

In the 1990s, procurement operated in a world where trust was paramount. The post-Cold War era emphasized globalization and corporate responsibility, and procurement professionals were expected to uphold strict standards. Conflicts of interest were taboo, and processes like competitive bidding were designed to ensure fairness. Scandals, like the Enron accounting fraud in the early 2000s, were met with swift public and legal backlash, reinforcing the expectation that ethical lapses had consequences.

In procurement, we adhered to clear guidelines. Whether it was selecting suppliers or managing contracts, the focus was on transparency and the best interests of the organization. If someone crossed an ethical line—say, accepting a kickback—they faced serious repercussions, from termination to legal action. The culture of the time reinforced these standards, with professional bodies like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) setting a high bar for ethical conduct.

Ethics Now: Complexity, Loopholes, and Eroding Trust

Fast forward to 2025, and the ethical landscape in procurement is far more complex. Global supply chains, digital procurement platforms, and intricate supplier networks have expanded opportunities for efficiency—but also for misconduct. High-profile cases, like the U.K.’s COVID-era “VIP lane” contract scandal or the U.S.’s pay-to-play schemes in local government procurement, highlight how power and influence can distort fair processes.

Ethical codes exist, but enforcement often lags. For instance, while organizations like CIPS and ISM (Institute for Supply Management) promote robust ethical standards, real-world application can falter. Billion-dollar bribery scandals, such as those involving companies like Odebrecht or Glencore, reveal how unethical behavior is often cloaked in technicalities or legal justifications. Meanwhile, whistleblower protections have grown, but so have the risks for those exposing corruption.

Perhaps most troubling is the normalization of ethical breaches. In the 1990s, a procurement scandal would dominate headlines and end careers. Today, such incidents often fade after a brief news cycle, with little lasting impact. Public and organizational tolerance for questionable behavior seems to have grown, eroding the trust that once defined procurement’s role.

Procurement Ethics in Focus

The stakes in procurement are higher than ever. Digital tools like e-procurement platforms and AI-driven sourcing have streamlined processes but introduced new risks, such as data manipulation or biased algorithms. Global supply chains expose organizations to ethical challenges like forced labor or environmental violations, demanding greater due diligence. In the U.S., procurement-related convictions have risen, underscoring the need for vigilance.

What’s changed isn’t just the scale of procurement but the sophistication of ethical challenges. Unethical behavior today often hides behind complex contract structures, offshore intermediaries, or “technically legal” maneuvers. Yet the consequences—wasted resources, damaged reputations, and eroded trust—are as damaging as ever.

Why This Matters

Ethics in procurement aren’t about achieving perfection; they’re about upholding principles that ensure fairness and accountability. The 1990s may not have been a golden age, but there was a shared belief that procurement professionals served a greater good—whether for their company, government, or society. Today, debates often center on what’s “permissible” rather than what’s right.

To move forward, procurement needs more than updated codes of conduct. It requires a cultural reset: systems that enforce accountability, prioritize transparency, and embed ethical decision-making at every level. This starts with education—not just in rules, but in fostering a values-driven mindset for the next generation of procurement professionals.

Final Thought

Ethics evolve with society, but the past few years have shown that when standards become optional, trust erodes. At LavenirAI, our negotiation training includes a module on the importance of ethics and our company values include integrity and the responsible and ethical use of AI. Last month, I completed the CIPS ethics test and earned my certificate, a practice I’ve maintained for years. It’s a reminder that ethical procurement isn’t about nostalgia for the 1990s—it’s about rebuilding the trust and integrity that our profession demands. We need guardrails, not just on paper, but in practice, to ensure procurement remains a force for good in an increasingly complex world.

 Do you think your ethics procurement policies need to change?

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