Relationships Between Disruptions and Unethical Procurement and Supply Chain Practices: Insights from the Covid-19 Pandemic

Various disruptions to supply chains have occurred over the years, distorting the flow of materials, goods, services, and money. The COVID-19 pandemic, for example, has had an unprecedented impact on supply chain activities, and the current Russian invasion of Ukraine has also resulted in massive disruptions in food, oil and gas, and other commodities around the world. Such challenges can result in new realities, shifts in relationships and network structures, behavioural adjustments, and unexpected actions by supply chain actors, all of which can contribute to unethical behaviour. This chapter presents and overview of how unethical practices are likely to emerge when supply chain disruptions occur and how supply chain partners combat such practices. We focus on supply chain disruptions, responsible and ethical procurement and supply chain management, and behavioural supply chain management. The following emerging unethical practices are examined as a result of disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic: (1) supply chain fraud, (2) supply chain opportunism, and (3) display of unfair and unjust behaviour. This chapter also describes three ways to combat such practices: (1) long-term collaborative relationship formation, (2) investment in technology and new methods of operation, and (3) investment in human resource development in supply chains. The insights provided may assist practitioners in developing capabilities and strategies to improve ethical practices in their supply chain relationships.