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Global Compact International Yearbook 2013
This is one of the reasons why multina-
tional companies as well as an increas-
ing number of small and medium-sized
companies – and not only members of
the Global Compact that comply with
Principle 10 – have established compli-
ance units in order to guide and control
the legal behavior of all actors in the
company.
There aremany stakeholders who should
be informed about companies’ targets,
measures, and projects regarding the pre-
vention of corruption. Besides customers,
suppliers, the government, and society,
the employees are a very important target
group. They should know very well the
documents that compliance departments
usually elaborate upon – that is to say
codes of conduct and guidelines on dif-
ferent topics, for example anti-corruption
guidelines. Unfortunately, these docu-
ments often remain unnoticed in the
everyday work process and are therefore
not sufficiently effective.
The challenges that compliance units
face are providing a convincing introduc-
tion and to continuously communicate
the principles of responsible conduct
and accompanying measures. The ad-
mittedly rather dry nature of juridical
facts, rules, and laws may create even
greater difficulties. Therefore, it is one
thing to establish guidelines and codes,
but bringing them to life, getting the
Comprehensive Ways of
Communication on
Anti-Corruption Measures
and Compliance
Business Keeper
By Jenice Hartmann, Business Keeper
Nowadays, there is agreement within companies and the
public that neither corruption nor other contraventions
of national and international regulations are acceptable.
Corruption causes an estimated economic harm of up to
US$4 trillion per year; the number of unreported cases and
not quantifiable social harm through the erosion of trust
and the economic systems is much higher. As is publicly
known, companies such as Wal-Mart, Monsanto, and
General Electric were strongly sanctioned by government
and society for their corrupt business activities. In times
of financial crisis, a sustainable business model is more
important than ever to ensure the necessary social
acceptance and “license to operate.”
Hypo Alpe-Adria’s communication
with respect to the implementation
of the BKMS® System as one result
of its efforts to introduce an effective
Compliance Organization