CIPS L4M5 - Commercial Negotiation

An adversarial style is appropriate when issues are non-negotiable, such as health and safety commitments (D). In these scenarios, compliance is required without compromise, and a firm stance may be necessary. This aligns with CIPS guidance, where adversarial tactics are used in non-negotiable contexts to enforce strict standards.

In microeconomics, equilibrium price is determined when the quantity demanded is equal to the quantity supplied at equilibrium price in a market, there will be no shortages and no surpluses. If we combine our supply and demand curves on one graph, the point at which they converge determines the equilibrium price. If the price is set above this price and you read across the graph you will see the supply excess demand and there will be a surplus. In order to reduce this surplus, the price will need to fall. The scenario is illustrated in the graph below:

Chart, line chart Description automatically generated

A collaborative relationship is characterized by mutual commitment, which enhances risk management and strategic planning between buyer and supplier. High levels of trust and commitment enable both parties to work closely to achieve shared objectives, creating a beneficial negotiation environment. This approach aligns with CIPS’s principles of collaborative procurement relationships.

Coercive power comes from the belief that a person can punish other for non-compliance, and can be considered as the flip side of reward power. Coercive power rests in the individual's ability to change other people's behaviour through threat, intimidation, use of guilt, ability to embarrass or shame, or withdrawal of benefits,...

In some markets, suppliers experience peaks and troughs in demand and so buyers can increase their leverage through developing an understanding of how busy their vendor are at particular time during the year or business cycle and targetting at quieter period. Similarly, if a buyer can develop an understanding of supplier capacity and to what extent have they covered their fixed cost, they may be able to target suppliers when their average costs are likely to be lowest. Vendor's average costs will be higher at low and high capacity utilisation.

A picture containing graphical user interface Description automatically generated

Avoiding is unassertive and uncooperative. When avoiding, an individual does not immediately pursue his or her own concerns or those of the other person. He or she does not address the conflict. Avoiding might take the form of diplomatically sidestepping an issue, postponing an issue until a better time, or simply withdrawing from a threatening situation.

LO 1, AC 1.1

The following graph shows the factors that shift the supply curve to the left and to the right.

'Macroeconomic factors always directly influence the negotiations': This statement is false. For any given negotiation it is not the macroeconomic factor itself that necessarily influences the negotiation but the change or rate of change that factor.

'Changes in macroeconomic factors may affect businesses and individuals differently': This statement is true. Macroeconomic factors are factors that have general effects on the economy and many businesses may be completely unaffected or affected more or less than others in the same industry by a change in a factor.

'Macroeconomic factors cannot be influenced by anyone's expectation or sentiment': This statement is false. When it comes to macroeconomic factors another key consideration is expectation regarding what might happen to these factors, or specifically the measures, metrics or percentage rates associated with these factors in the future.

'Expectations on macroeconomic prospect are always correct': This statement is false. Expectations are not always correct.

LO 2, AC 2.2

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. Win-lose approach is useful when the relationship with the other party (TOP) is short-term and once-off.

The question mentions 4 types of relationship:

Adversarial: Both seek to maximize position at the expense of the other. Almost no trust, communication and cooperation. These suppliers will probably provide non-core products or services with the buyer purchasing them on a one-off basis.

Outsourcing relationship: Use competent suppliers to manage non-core businesses previously done in-house. Require high level of trust and collaboration

Partnership: Both work closely on long term development by sharing information, technology and ideas.High level of trust with the aim to benefit both parties (win-win)

Strategic alliance: Both parties identify areas where they could collaborate to create mutual benefits

Among these 4 types of relationship, only adversarial is once-off. Then it is the correct answer.