L5M5 Sample Questions Answers

The L5M5 study guide (p.48) defines corruption as the illegitimate use of one’s role or position for personal gain. This differs from bribery (A), which is offering or accepting inducements, and fraud (C), which involves deception such as falsifying records or creating phantom suppliers. Slavery (D) refers to forced labour. Procurement professionals must recognise corruption risks, particularly in international supply chains, and implement controls such as segregation of duties, audit trails, and whistleblowing policies.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.48

The ILO defines child labour as work that deprives children of their childhood, education, or well-being. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.252), light work, such as assisting in a family business outside school hours, is not considered child labour if it does not interfere with education or harm physical and mental health. Charlie is attending school, completing homework, and only helping part-time in a family-owned shop. Therefore, this is not classified as child labour. The ILO guidelines make clear distinctions between exploitative labour (such as sweatshops or hazardous industries) and permissible family assistance.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.252

The L5M5 study guide (p.258) explains that blue washing refers to organisations associating with the UN Global Compact to appear legitimate while failing to implement its principles. The term comes from the blue colour of the UN flag. In contrast, greenwashing (A) is when companies exaggerate their environmental credentials. Blue washing is a reputational risk because it undermines genuine CSR initiatives and public trust. Procurement professionals must ensure that CSR commitments are backed by verifiable actions rather than symbolic gestures.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.258

The L5M5 study guide (p.182) states that sustainability reporting and the adoption of ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) principles can stimulate organisational change and innovation. By measuring and reporting on sustainability, companies often seek new technologies, processes, and supply models to improve performance and meet ESG commitments. Reporting is not mandatory in all cases, so option B is incorrect. While sustainability may improve reputation and sometimes costs, these are not the key focus of this question. CIPS guidance stresses that sustainability reporting can drive innovation—procurement can encourage suppliers to develop new sustainable practices, products, and approaches.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.182

The MNE Declaration, also called the ILO Tripartite Declaration of Principles concerning Multinational Enterprises, sets out guidelines for multinational organisations to operate ethically and sustainably. The L5M5 study guide (p.267) explains that the Declaration prioritises formal economies (regulated, tax-paying, legitimate business environments) and host country labour, ensuring that local workers are not exploited. Informal economies and immigrant labour are recognised but not prioritised in the same way. The declaration is tripartite because it involves three groups: governments, employers, and workers’ organisations. Procurement professionals working internationally must be aware of these principles when engaging multinational supply chains.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.267

The Modern Slavery Act (2015) requires companies with a turnover above £36 million to publish a slavery and human trafficking statement. The L5M5 study guide (p.45) highlights this as a limitation because it excludes smaller businesses, even though they may also operate complex supply chains. The Act applies regardless of where supply chains are located (so A is incorrect), and compliance is mandatory (C is incorrect). Non-compliance can lead to civil proceedings (so D is incorrect). Procurement professionals must be aware of this threshold and ensure compliance in larger organisations.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.45

ISO14001 is an international standard for environmental management systems. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.277), one disadvantage is that ISO does not set environmental performance targets itself; instead, it requires organisations to define their own targets. This means some organisations may set very easy or minimal goals, limiting actual environmental improvement. Option A is incorrect as ISO14001 applies consistently across industries. Option C is a requirement, not a disadvantage. Option D is an overgeneralisation—while some firms misuse it for "greenwashing," many genuinely use it to improve sustainability.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.277

The STEEPLED analysis tool examines external macro-environmental factors: Social, Technological, Economic, Environmental, Political, Legal, Ethical, and Demographic. The L5M5 study guide (p.55) confirms that “D” stands for Demographic, reflecting population trends, age structures, and workforce availability. This addition evolved from the earlier PESTLE model, later extended to STEEPLE and STEEPLED. Procurement professionals use this tool to assess external risks and opportunities that may affect supply markets and ethical sourcing.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.55

The L5M5 study guide highlights several tools procurement can use to embed ethics and sustainability into supply chains. These include benchmarking (A), which compares practices against best-in-class organisations; supply chain mapping (C), which provides visibility of all tiers of suppliers to identify risks; and on-site audits (D), which verify supplier compliance with ethical standards directly. Supplier preferencing (B) is a portfolio analysis tool used to understand suppliers’ perspectives, not specifically an ethical improvement tool. Cost analysis (E) is primarily financial and does not ensure ethical compliance. Procurement professionals must apply tools like mapping and audits to identify risks such as forced labour, environmental harm, or corruption.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, section on supplier evaluation and sustainability tools

The practice described is known as Direct Trade. Unlike Fair Trade, which follows certification standards set by external bodies, Direct Trade involves companies directly sourcing from producers, often providing higher prices and more investment in local communities. The L5M5 study guide (p.309) explains that Direct Trade is particularly common in coffee and cocoa supply chains, where companies wish to build stronger, transparent, and ethical relationships with producers. It differs from Fair Trade in that it avoids third-party certification costs and focuses on building trust through long-term partnerships. Procurement professionals must understand both models when sourcing ethically in international markets.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.309

The concept of the Triple Bottom Line (TBL), also referred to as the "3Ps," is a framework that assesses organisational success through People, Planet, and Profit. These dimensions highlight the balance between social equity (people), environmental stewardship (planet), and economic performance (profit). According to the CIPS L5M5 study guide (p.3), procurement and supply professionals are expected to incorporate sustainability into decision-making processes, ensuring that business practices do not only create economic value but also deliver positive social and environmental impacts. "Product" and "Placement" are not part of the TBL model, as they are marketing-related concepts, not sustainability measures. This principle ensures procurement strategies align with corporate responsibility and long-term sustainable growth.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.3

CSR policies allow businesses to integrate ethical, social, and environmental concerns into their operations. The L5M5 study guide (p.28) highlights several benefits: an improved reputation (A), enhanced competitiveness (B) by differentiating the company, and a positive impact on wider society (D). However, CSR policies do not provide protection from all legal issues (C)—illegal activities can still occur despite having a policy. CSR (sometimes referred to as ESG in modern usage) builds stakeholder trust, supports compliance with global sustainability frameworks, and enhances long-term resilience. Procurement teams are particularly important in embedding CSR into supply chains by ensuring supplier compliance and accountability.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.28

A Retention of Title Clause states that ownership of goods remains with the seller until full payment is made. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.190), Orange Ltd legally retains ownership of the fruit delivered until Juicy Boots settles payment. This clause protects suppliers, particularly SMEs, from non-payment risks. Signing for delivery does not override the clause, and timely delivery is irrelevant. Retention of Title is an important risk management tool in procurement contracts.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.190

Social Security in the UK provides benefits such as sick pay, redundancy support, pensions, and maternity/paternity payments. The L5M5 study guide (p.93) specifies that payments can be made in cases of sickness (A), loss of employment (B), and retirement (C). Benefits are not provided simply for changing jobs (D) or marriage (E), as these do not affect financial or employment security. Procurement professionals need to understand social security systems, especially when working with international suppliers, since welfare provisions differ globally and affect labour conditions.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.93

The L5M5 study guide (old p.67, new p.95) explains that there is no limit to compensation claims for breaches of the Equalities Act 2010. By contrast, unfair dismissal claims (not linked to discrimination) are capped at the lower of £83,682 or 52 weeks’ gross pay. Discrimination claims, however, are unlimited, reflecting the seriousness of breaches. Procurement professionals must ensure suppliers comply with equalities legislation, as non-compliance can lead to unlimited liability and reputational damage.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.95

SWOT analysis examines both internal factors (Strengths and Weaknesses) and external factors (Opportunities and Threats). According to the L5M5 study guide (p.55), SWOT is a strategic tool for assessing organisational drivers and making informed procurement decisions. In contrast, STEEPLED analyses external macro-environmental factors (social, technological, economic, environmental, political, legal, ethical, demographic). GDP (Gross Domestic Product) is an economic indicator, not an analysis tool, while ABC analysis categorises suppliers or inventory based on importance and value, not internal strategic drivers.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.55

The L5M5 study guide (p.210) specifies that independent auditors must be approved by a certified body (B) and have sector-specific knowledge (C) to assess compliance effectively. While qualifications (D) may be desirable, there is no universal "auditor qualification," and experience (A) varies by sector. CIPS also stresses the importance of auditor qualities such as independence, objectivity, and integrity. For procurement, selecting the right auditor ensures credible, reliable assurance of supplier compliance with ethical and sustainability requirements.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.210

The role of an International Procurement Organisation (IPO) is to provide sourcing intelligence to companies operating globally. The L5M5 study guide (p.66) explains that IPOs identify the most cost-effective manufacturers worldwide, enabling buyers to reduce operational expenses and increase efficiency. They do not force organisations to relocate operations (A), nor are they primarily focused on logistics (C). While due diligence may be part of supplier selection, running background checks (D) is not the main purpose of an IPO. In practice, IPOs support centralised sourcing strategies and leverage international supplier markets to achieve best value.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.66

The International Labour Organization (ILO) sets global labour standards, and freedom of association is one of its fundamental rights. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.249), this right allows workers to form or join trade unions and workers’ organisations to collectively defend their interests. It ensures employees can negotiate working conditions, pay, and rights without discrimination or retaliation. This principle underpins fair labour practices and corporate social responsibility. Other options such as "having a second job" or "avoiding slavery" are separate issues covered under different ILO conventions, but they do not define freedom of association.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.249

The UK Modern Slavery Act 2015 requires companies with an annual turnover of £36m or more to publish an annual Anti-Slavery and Human Trafficking Statement. The L5M5 study guide (p.90) confirms that Ben’s company, with a turnover of £20m, does not meet the threshold and is therefore not legally required to publish a statement. However, even if not legally required, organisations are encouraged to act responsibly and voluntarily demonstrate compliance with ethical labour practices. Procurement professionals must be aware of turnover thresholds and ensure compliance when operating in larger organisations.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.90

The ILO Fundamental Principles of Human Rights apply to governments, as ILO conventions must be ratified and enforced at the national level. The L5M5 study guide (p.271) contrasts this with frameworks aimed at businesses: UN Global Compact (A), SA8000 (C), and OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises (D). Governments are responsible for implementing and enforcing ILO standards, while businesses align with other voluntary or certification frameworks. Procurement professionals must understand which standards apply to suppliers and which are obligations for governments when working internationally.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.271

The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) promotes economic development, international trade, and social protection policies. According to the L5M5 study guide (old p.66, new p.95), the OECD coordinates policy among member countries to improve economic performance and ensure financial safety nets. The WTO (A) focuses on trade rules, the UN (B) covers peace and development, and the ILO (C) focuses on labour rights. Procurement professionals should understand OECD guidelines for multinational enterprises, which influence global supply chain governance.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.95

The Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model is a widely adopted framework for analysing and improving supply chain performance. According to the L5M5 study guide (p.149), advantages of SCOR include its universality across industries (A) and its ability to improve and communicate organisational decisions (C) by providing a common language and structure for supply chain processes. A limitation of SCOR is that it focuses primarily on internal processes and does not adequately capture wider external environmental or social factors (making option B incorrect). While SCOR can help identify cost-saving opportunities, it does not guarantee low costs (D). For procurement professionals, SCOR is an important tool for benchmarking performance and driving improvements in ethical supply chain management.

???? Reference: Managing Ethical Procurement and Supply (L5M5) Study Guide, p.149