Hp Case

Hewlett-Packard and a Common Supplier Code of Conduct

Your answers should be concise and limited to three single-spaced pages (two pages of write-up and one page of appendix if required).

1. What are the advantages, from the company’s point of view, of a common industry code of conduct?

There are many advantages that would help out Hewlett-Packard when coming up with a common code of conduct. Many of the advantages would benefit the suppliers. First off, creating a common code would simplify reporting process for all suppliers. Suppliers have to fill out multiple questionnaires for each of their customers that is extremely time consuming and is a burden for many small companies. By enforcing a code of conduct for suppliers this in turn, will benefit Hewlett-Packard and other customers as well. If required reporting resulted from this code of conduct than there would be increased compliance among vendors. More importantly, creating a code of conduct would become the standard in the industry.

2. What are the disadvantages, from the company’s point of view, of a common industry code of conduct?

Despite the promise from all the advantages that result from a common code of conduct, there are many disadvantages that need to be considered. One of the major problems that could arise is the fact that each company has their own set ways of going about their business. Every company has specific products, technologies to make these products and personalized contracts with the firms that supply them. Developing a common code of conduct that could conform to the assorted array of circumstances could be nearly impossible. If the company could create an agreed upon code of conduct, it could be so generalized that it would provide no direction for the firm.