Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) fundamentally arise when an organization's existing activities or relationships could unfairly bias its judgment or give it an unfair competitive advantage in a new endeavor. These conflicts typically fall into three primary categories: unequal access to information, impaired objectivity, and biased ground rules.
Understanding Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI)
An Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) occurs when a company's past or present activities could prevent it from performing a future contract objectively, or could give it an unfair competitive edge. Unlike individual conflicts of interest, OCIs pertain to the organization as a whole, focusing on its ability to provide impartial advice or services. These conflicts are crucial to identify and mitigate, especially in government contracting, to ensure fair competition and the integrity of the procurement process. For a broader understanding of ethical considerations in business, you can refer to resources on organizational ethics.
The Three Core Categories of OCI
OCIs are generally categorized into three distinct types, each posing unique risks to fair competition and impartial performance.
| Type of OCI | Description
