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Handling the risks of corruption successfully
Project at a glance

Project at a glance

As part of the project, the challenges that Swiss companies operating abroad are confronted with concerning corruption were analysed. The project had the following goals:

  • Identification of a company’s existing external and internal drivers and structural factors, e.g., of SMEs with a high - or low risk of exposure to corruption.
  • Evaluation of existing solution proposals to prevent corruption on the corporate level
  • Development of new instruments and strategies for corruption-prevention for SMEs
  • Development and implementation of guidelines for internationally operating Swiss SMEs and promoting these through events and publications

More than 500 Swiss companies were surveyed to inquire about their experience with corruption on an international level. The results show that numerous Swiss companies see themselves confronted with corrupt behavior in their international business activities. Furthermore, new and innovative instruments are needed to prevent and combat corruption successfully while doing business internationally.

The analysis focused on the question of the extent to which company-specific factors (e.g. company size, age, culture, industry, markets) and risks (e.g. from/via agents, third parties) have an influence on the above-mentioned issues.

Team

Team

Lecturer, Project leader
Prof. Dr. Christian Hauser
Phone: +41 81 286 39 24
Research project leader, Lecturer
Prof. Dr. Franz Xaver Kronthaler
Phone: +41 81 286 39 92

The following former employee of University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons also worked on the project:

  • Katharina Becker
Additional information

Additional information

Publications

  • Hauser, C. & Hogenacker, J. (2014): Do firms proactively take measures to prevent corruption in their international operations?, in: European Management Review, Vol. 11, No. 3-4, P. 223–237.
  • Hauser, C. & Kronthaler, F. (2013): Neue Märkte, neue Risiken – Empirische Evidenz zum Korruptionsrisiko für den international aktiven Mittelstand, in: Zeitschrift für Betriebswirtschaft (ZfB), SI 4/2013, S. 37–60.
  • Becker, K., Hauser, C. & Kronthaler, F. (2012): Auslandskorruption bei Schweizer Unternehmen, in: Die Volkswirtschaft, Vol. 85, Nr. 10.
  • Becker, K., Hauser, C. & Kronthaler, F. (2011): Korruptionsprävention bei international tätigen Unternehmen: Ein Literaturüberblick über die Wahrscheinlichkeit, von Korruption betroffen zu sein und mögliche Massnahmen. Discussion Papers on Entrepreneurship and Innovation 5/2010, Swiss Institute for Entrepreneurship and The Research Unit for Economic Policy, Chur.
  • Becker, K., Hauser, C. & Kronthaler, F. (2011): Länder- und Unternehmensspezifische Korruptionsrisiken - Hinweise aus den Entreprise Surveys der Weltbank und der EBRD. Discussion Paper on Economics and Entrepreneurial Management 4/2010, Swiss Institute for Entrepreneurship and The Research Unit for Economic Policy, Chur.
  • Becker, K., Hauser, C., & Kronthaler, F. (2012b): Korruptionsrisiken erfolgreich begegnen: Strategien für international tätige Unternehmen, University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons Verlag, Chur.

In den Medien

Research field

Corporate Responsibility

Entrepreneurial actions involve the assumption of responsibility and the endeavour to ensure sustainability. Corporate responsibility stands for a business philosophy that places transparency, ethical conduct and respect for stakeholders at the heart of a company’s actions.
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Internationalisation and Supply Chain

In the research field of Internationalisation and Supply Chain, the University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons deals with the internationalisation process of companies. We investigate which motives trigger internationalisation and which requirements companies have to meet in order to hold their own against international competitors.
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Parties involved

The project has been implemented by the Swiss Institute for Entrepeneurship (SIFE), in cooperation with PRME Business Integrity Action Center, the Centre for Economic Policy Research (ZWF), Credit Suisse AG and Switzerland Global Enterprise.

Swiss Institute for Entrepreneurship (SIFE)

The SIFE operates between research and practice. It conducts application-oriented research, teaching and provides services in the focus areas of digital strategies and AI for companies, Innovation, Internationalisation and Supply Chain. Its objective is to contribute to the successful foundation, transformation and growth of companies.
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PRME Business Integrity Action Center (BIAC)

The PRME Business Integrity Action Center at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons supports both companies and public institutions in applied research and development projects on the topics of business integrity, corruption prevention and media integrity.
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Centre for Economic Policy Research (ZWF)

The Centre for Economic Policy Research (ZWF) is the competence centre for economics, economic policy and applied statistics at University of Applied Sciences of the Grisons. It specialises in the research fields of Regional Development, Labour Market and Social Policy as well as Energy Economics.
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