Catanduanes State University

Virac, Catanduanes

GRADUATE SCHOOL

PA/BA 401 – Organization and Management

Mid-Year 2023

Case No. 2

Enhancing Ethical Decision Making in Government Procurement

Background

You are a newly appointed procurement officer in a government agency responsible for
procuring goods and services for public projects in the Philippines. The agency's mission is to
ensure transparency, fairness, and efficiency in government procurement to promote public trust
and achieve the best value for taxpayers' money in consonance with the provisions of RA 9184..
However, you have recently noticed several instances of unethical practices and decision-
making biases in the procurement process, which have raised concerns among stakeholders.
Your task is to identify the underlying issues, propose solutions, and implement measures to
enhance ethical decision making in government procurement.

Your initial evaluation on the office practices points out to the following:

1. You need to assess the existing decision-making models and processes used in
government procurement. Identify the strengths and weaknesses of these models and
processes and determine if they align with ethical standards and best practices.

2. Examine how rational and bounded rational decision making is applied in government
procurement. Explore instances where decision makers may have been influenced by
time constraints, limited information, or personal biases, leading to suboptimal decisions.

3. Analyze common decision-making biases, errors, and heuristics that may affect the
objectivity and fairness of government procurement. Identify specific instances where
these biases have influenced decisions and propose strategies to mitigate their impact.

4. Assess the role of the Bids and Awards Committee (BAC), as a group involved in
decision making in government procurement. Investigate whether group dynamics,
power imbalances, or groupthink have compromised ethical decision making. Develop
strategies to enhance group decision-making processes and promote diverse
perspectives.

5. Examine the ethical considerations and dilemmas faced by procurement officers.

Evaluate the ethical decision-making framework currently employed in the agency and
suggest improvements to ensure adherence to ethical principles, conflict of interest
management, and transparency.

6. Explore the strategic dimensions of decision making in government procurement.

Analyze how long-term goals, stakeholder engagement, and risk assessment impact
decision making. Develop strategies to align procurement decisions with the agency's
strategic objectives and public interest.

7. Investigate the problem-solving strategies and analytical techniques used in addressing

procurement challenges. Identify areas for improvement, such as data-driven decision
making, cost-benefit analysis, and performance evaluation frameworks.

Your task is to develop a comprehensive plan that addresses the identified issues and
implements solutions to enhance ethical decision making in government procurement.
Consider the legal and regulatory framework, organizational culture, and stakeholder
expectations in the Philippine setting. Present your plan, including specific actions,
timelines, and metrics to evaluate success.

Prepared by:

BERNARDINO C. ABUNDO, JR., Ph.D.

Course Professor

Date of Presentation: July 1, 2023

1:30 pm