Putting corruption out of business

Update, 31 October 2012

Today we close out the 'Putting corruption out of business' survey series by releasing the complete data set along with the last of our seven interactive graphics.

We've also prepared a brief survey to help us learn about your use of the data and how we can enhance our business survey in the future. It takes two minutes, and can be reached by clicking here. We appreciate your feedback and responses!

Putting corruption out of business: a global survey

When companies bribe to win contracts, grease the wheels of bureaucracy, or get around rules, they damage not only their competitors, but also the societies in which they operate.

Bribery can lead to inferior firms winning business over better rivals, which can have real-world impacts across many sectors – from construction and utilities to telecommunications and financial services. Businesspeople who offer bribes also influence policy makers and procurement processes, undermining effective government and fair competition in the marketplace. This is instead of private sector policies, decisions and transactions being based on merit and achieving outcomes that are optimal for society.

To learn more about the way businesspeople perceive the impact of corruption on their work, Transparency International surveyed 3,000 businesspeople in 30 countries. The results present a unique snapshot of business views on corruption from around the world.

In a blog post announcing the release of the results, Transparency International Research Manager Deborah Hardoon notes:

We must explore these results with an appreciation for the varying contexts and perceptions of the respondents. Respondents have access to different levels of information about the way public contracts are given out. They work in environments where the level of media activity exposing corruption cases can vary."

Why business corruption matters

In our globalised world, business, trade and growth play central roles in our societies. The effects of corruption in business are felt by all citizens. People want to start and grow businesses with integrity, free of the manipulating effects of bribery and other forms of graft.

Indeed, stopping corruption in the private sector is of critical importance if we are to stop corruption at the local, national and international level. Governments and international actors have an important role to play in creating an environment that does not tolerate corruption and effectively prosecutes those that are guilty. But business and businesspeople can also do much to improve their transparency, protect whistleblowers and set the highest standards of integrity amongst their workforces.

More about the survey

Transparency International carried out a survey of businesspeople in 30 diverse countries around the world. The survey was conducted from May-July 2011 and asked businesspeople not just for their views on bribery and corruption, but also on what works to stop corruption in the private sector and what the business community can do to put corruption out of business. Other questions from this survey asked for perceptions of the likelihood of companies from other countries to pay bribes when doing business in the country being surveyed and these results were used to construct the Bribe Payers Index 2011. For more information on the methdology of the survey, download our explanatory Excel file or the complete data set.

This survey complements other corruption-related research from Transparency International, including:

• The Corruption Perceptions Index which scores and ranks countries based on perceptions of corruption in the public sector.
• The Global Corruption Barometer which captures people’s experiences paying bribes for basic services.
• The Bribe Payers Index which captures the perceived likelihood of companies from 28 countries to pay bribes when doing business abroad.

We encourage you to have a look at the data and tell us what you think.