|
Highlighting Achievers Survey
Survey Highlights
As the first survey of its kind, the Highlighting Achievers Survey of the World Economic Forum’s Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) provides valuable insight into the measures that companies leading the fight against corruption are taking.
The survey reveals that PACI signatory companies are demonstrating progress in developing, implementing and monitoring anti-corruption programmes. Furthermore, the survey reveals that:
1. Anti-corruption is an issue on the top management agenda.
2. Employee training and whistle blowing hotlines are integral parts of implementing anti-corruption policies.
3. Anti-corruption policies also apply to business partners.
4. The anti-corruption commitment is publicly communicated.
The survey findings reflect PACI’s ongoing work in the fight against corruption and the substantial progress made in achieving corporate commitment to the PACI Principles. They also signal that international businesses increasingly recognize the importance of having effective anti-corruption programmes in place.
To see the list of the signatory companies that provided feedback for the survey click here.
Survey Methodology
The survey findings, based on comprehensive feedback from 61 PACI signatory companies, are grouped along the lines of the three PACI stages and six milestones that PACI signatory companies have ranked as the best indicators for sound anti-corruption programme implementation.
PACI STAGE 1: Developing internal programme and putting it in place
PACI STAGE 2: Self-monitoring/evaluation
PACI STAGE 3: External verification/third-party certification
MILESTONE 1: Partners: Supply chain entities, partners and subsidiaries are subject to the policy
MILESTONE 2: Contracts: All new contracts and joint venture agreements are subject to the policy
MILESTONE 3: Leadership: Continuous, internal self-evaluation and review of policy and processes
MILESTONE 4: Whistle blowing: Effective whistle blowing hotline in place
MILESTONE 5: Training: Specific training adapted to the roles and responsibilities of each employee
MILESTONE 6: External communication: External publication of a clear policy aligned with the PACI Principles
Survey Findings
1. PACI signatory companies are demonstrating progress in developing, implementing and monitoring anti-corruption programmes
.
.
.
- The survey findings highlight that PACI signatory companies are making substantial progress in addressing the three PACI stages.
- 90% of the signatory companies had an anti-corruption programme in place by the end of 2007, whereas 22% of these companies did not have a programme when they signed PACI.
- Four-fifths of the signatory companies have benchmarked their anti-corruption programmes against the PACI principles.
- 87% of the signatory companies have evaluated their anti-corruption programmes. The vast majority of companies regularly carry out such evaluations, semi-annually or annually. Whereas internal audits are the most common means of evaluating the effectiveness of anti-corruption programmes, other means include annual risk assessments, assessments of reporting to whistle blowing hotlines and managers completing annual compliance assessments.
- Although an international framework for anti-corruption assurance is not yet in place, one-fourth of signatory companies have already received external verification or third-party certification of their anti-corruption programme. Measures include peer reviews and assessments by external control committees, NGOs or accounting companies, i.e. within the AA1000 assurance framework.
2. Companies’ anti-corruption policies also apply to business partners
.
- In 86% of the signatory companies, all subsidiaries are subject to corporate anti-corruption policies.
- Three-fourths of the signatory companies address anti-corruption in new joint venture agreements.
- Half of the signatory companies address anti-corruption in all new business contracts.
- 77% of signatory companies’ anti-corruption policies address suppliers, whereas 68% of the companies’ policies address agents and distributors. Other business partners addressed in companies’ policies include sub-contractors, NGOs and service providers.
3. Anti-corruption is an issue on the top management agenda
- All signatory companies indicated that top management reviews internal evaluations of their anti-corruption policies and processes. On top of having their CEO review such evaluations, most companies also ask the board or the board audit committee to do so.
4. Whistle blowing hotlines are an integral part of implementing anti-corruption policies
- 87% of the signatory companies have created channels for raising concern about potential breaches of anti-corruption policies. 71% of the signatory companies have a whistle blowing hotline in place, whereas 16% of the companies offer other means to raise concern
5. Employee training is an integral part of implementing anti-corruption policies
- Three-fourths of signatory companies provide anti-corruption policy training to all employees, either separately or as part of their code of conduct training. Three-fifths of the companies offer specific training tailored to the roles and needs of relevant employee groups, i.e. purchasers, sales personnel and/or employees at various functional and geographical managerial levels. Training measures include e-learning and face-to-face workshops.
6. Companies’ anti-corruption commitment is publicly communicated
·
72% of the signatory companies publicly disclose their anti-corruption policy statement; either on their website and/or in their annual reports or corporate responsibility reports (see links at PACI signatory company list).
|
