Profitability through honesty, evolution of culture and efficient effectiveness.

Purchasing personnel are considered to be most dishonest/corrupt by virtue of their profession.Marketing personnel are however expected to represent the image of organisation to outside world and hence deemed to be honest at least in reputed organisations.

This is true in many cases. However, there are exceptions. One organisation's marketing representative is dealing with his prospective customer's purchase representative and should know him well. It is possible for purchase person to be honest because it is entirely under his control. He need not accept bribes for offering purchase contracts and can insist on merit. The same is not true for marketing person.In order to stay in business he has to get orders from customers. It is not under his control to expect his customer's purchase representative to be honest. Thus, though marketing person may not like he has to be dishonest sometimes. Purchasing person however can stick to his guns and maintain honesty.

Why then purchase departments are branded as dishonest ? It depends on both the counterparts and the organisational culture brought up and encouraged by the top people whether honesty or corruption is promoted. No need to state that corruption shall eat away profits. Top management's role in improving profitability is through evolution of right culture and demanding efficient effectiveness.

Your comments please.