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Corruption and Unethical Behavior: Report on a Set of Danish Guidelines

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Abstract

Corruption is defined as private individuals or enterprises who misuse public resources for private power and/or political gains. They do so through abusing public officials whose behavior deviates from the formal government rules of conduct. Ethical behavior is defined as individuals or enterprises adhering to a non-corrupt work or business practice. A review of the academic literature is conducted drawing on perspectives from the political, economic, and anthropological sciences. Insights from a Danish research program are reported on. This program identifies five different actions for dealing with corruption: (1) no action; (2) withdrawals from markets; (3) decentralized decision-making process; (4) establishment of an anti-corruption code; and (5) mutual commitment through integrity pact. The following aspects of ethical behavior should be regulated through an anti-corruption code: the company vis-à-vis political parties; gifts and entertainment expenses; political campaign contributions; and policy against small-scale corruption. Directions for future research are considered including the role of international organizations and multinational companies in fighting corruption and fostering ethical behavior; the role of countries and their governments; and the management systems.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Organisation Science and Marketing, Faculty of Technology Management, TEMA 0.07, Eindhoven University of Technology, Den Dolech 2, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands

    Adam Lindgreen

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Lindgreen, A. Corruption and Unethical Behavior: Report on a Set of Danish Guidelines. Journal of Business Ethics 51, 31–39 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000032388.68389.60

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:BUSI.0000032388.68389.60

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