The company can support local suppliers for instance, even though that might not be the cheapest option and could reduce the profit margin.

BBC: US firms put social values before big profits

Even so, the Saudis not only sit atop the cheapest and largest reserves of oil in the world, but remain the only country willing to maintain large amounts of idle capacity something profit-minded Russian oilmen such as Yukos's Mr Kukes would never do.

ECONOMIST: A surprise cut in oil supplies

Even in a bad economy, the cheapest vendor may not be worth it if their services are subpar.

FORBES: The Business of Policing in a Tough Economy