A conflict of interest is a situation in which a person or organization has two or more competing interests. When a conflict of interest occurs, the person or organization can't perform their duties appropriately because it would mean betraying their interests to one of the parties within the situation. Conflicts of interest occur when employees are in a position to influence decisions on policy, purchases or research where they may directly or indirectly receive financial benefit or give improper advantage to associates/family.Conflicts of commitment arise when employees are involved in outside activities that substantially interfere with their primary responsibility to.