In politics, it means betrayal.
Not possible in many industries.
If you are in construction and the "right" people do not like you (or like your competitor better) you may wait much longer to have your buildings inspected.
I sell imprinted sportswear. One of my biggest clients is a county agency. Once a year they come around for my sponsorship of their calendar they use for fundraising. Should I not contribute, I am sure that my competitor would contribute and would subsequently become their supplier.
We may not like it, but it is the way it works.