L4M5 Exam Dumps - CIPS Level 4 Diploma in Procurement and Supply Questions and Answers

An oligopoly exists when there are small number of producers that exert a significant influence in the market. Oligopoly's main characteristics are discussed as follows:

- Interdependence

The most important feature of oligopolyis the interdependence in decision¬-making of the few firms which comprise the industry. This is because when the number of competi¬tors is few, any change in price, output, product etc. by a firm will have a direct effect on the fortune of its rivals, which will then retaliate in changing their own prices, output or products as the case may be.

- Importance of advertising and selling costs

A direct effect of interdependence of oligopolists is that the various firms have to employ variousaggressive and defensive marketing weapons to gain a greater share in the market or to prevent a fall in their market share. For this various firms have to incur a good deal of costs on advertising and on other measures of sales promotion. Therefore, thereis a great importance of advertising and selling costs under conditions of market situation characterised by oligopoly

- Group behaviour

Another important feature of oligopoly is that for the proper solution to the problem of determination of price and output under, it analysis of group behaviour is impor-tant.

- Indeterminateness of demand curve facing an oligopolist

In this question, 'Prices in oligopoly are predicted to fluctuate widely and frequently' is an incorrect statement as producers in oligopoly often try to set up price. Prices fluctuate more frequently in perfect competition.

LO 2, AC 2.2

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At the first stage of CIPS Procurement and Supply Cycle (Understand need and develop a high-level specification), procurement professional mainly negotiate with internal stakeholders. They have a duty toproportionately and constructively challenge specification if there's genuine doubt over the need or how the need is expressed. This is called demand management. Their first duty is to the organisation's treasury, not to functional managers.

Demandmanagement including: negotiation/challenge between procurement and internal stakeholders over the need/requirement/specification. Remember that in any process or product, the greatest opportunity for cost reduction is at the design stage.

Investors or shareholders who have high level of influence but low interest belong to 'Keep satisfied' quadrant of Mendelow's Stakeholder Matrix.

You may read 2 versions from L4M1 and L4M5 here:

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LO 1, AC 1.1

Power, or more precisely perceptions of power,are critically important in understanding the commercial negotiation process. From a commercial negotiation point of view (under any circumstances, either integrative or distributive approach), CIPS is interested in power from both a personal and organisational perspective. When you are negotiating on behalf of your employer, you bring the power of your organisation (its brand, reputation and purchasing spend) as well your own personal power (6 sources of personal power, based on French and Raven's power base model) to the negotiation.

In both integrative and distributive approaches, personal power plays an important role. It helps both parties push through negotiating barriers and secure commitment and final agreement

LO 1, AC 1.3

Essential goods andservices such as electricity, fuel, basic food stuffs, commuter transport and habitual products such as tobacco, alcohol and sugar-based drinks are often sited as facing a relatively inelastic demand curve. This means when the price goes up, the quantity demanded does not decrease very much and so they are often the target of government taxation.

LO2, AC 2.2

With non-critical commodity products, the relationship will be transactional. Buyer should not spend too much time and effort into the negotiation.

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LO 1, AC 1.4

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Distributive approach to negotiation used when the interested parties are attempting to divide something up or distribute something of value, also known as zero-sum approach or win-lose. Commercial situations often demand a distributive bargaining approach, if the 'pie' is inherently of a fixed size. In this case, any conflicts must be resolved by sharing it.

In win-lose approach, a negotiator wants to maximise the value obtained in a single deal, the relationship with the other party is not important. Therefore, a strong party may win more than 50% of the metaphorical 'pie'.

It should not be assumed that win-win can be applied to all commercial negotiations, or that win-lose approaches are inherently inferior.

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According to Thomas-Kilmann conflict model instrument, there are 5 conflict management styles:

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In this scenario, the buyer's bargaining power is stronger than suppliers', and the relationship is transactional. Therefore, to get the most preferable outcome, the procurement professional can take an assertive approach, while he doesn't need to co-operate closely with these suppliers. Competing will be the most appropriate approach to negotiation in this scenario so that the buying organisation can get a better deal.

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In the scenario, the buyer states that permission from senior management is required to shorten payment period and she only has authority to sign off a deal in which thepayment period lasts at least 30 days. The buyer is using lack of authority. The buyer also repeats the matter again throughout the negotiation. This is a common tactic known as broken record.

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Expert power is based on a person's high levels of skill and knowledge, formal training, qualifications and experience in aparticular procurement category would give someone expert status and mean that in negotiation their voice is listened to as a more objective, informed knowledge leader. Expert power is based on facts, knowledge, research, insight and study.

Legitimate power comes from rules, formal authority, organisation rank, staff rate or official position held.

Reward power comes from one person's ability to compensate or reward another for compliance.

Referent power stems from their personality, way of engaging with others and habit of acting in a way that is in line with a strong set of values and principles.