Title:
INTEGRITY-BASED AND COMPLIANCE-BASED ETHICS PROGRAMS: A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF KEY DIFFERENCES

Authors:
Franklin M. Lartey, USA

Abstract:

Company failures and penalties due to ethical shortcomings have increased the need to promote, encourage, and enforce ethical principles in organizations. Such enforcement helps reduce unethical practices, increase corporate social responsibility, and foster a sain business and collaboration environment. This article identifies the two most common types of ethics programs namely integrity-based and compliance-based ethics programs. After defining these terms, the article analyzes the key differences between them based on the phases of program management that include initiation, planning, implementation, and control. The article also synthesizes key findings related to staffing for the program’s management, ensuring a fit between the selected program and the organization structure, implementing appropriate staff training, and deploying processes to evaluate the program. The article also presents some implications for organizations in the current business climate and critically analyzes prior quantitative studies that were focused on the implementation of ethics programs in various industries. In concluding the work presented, the article suggests some opportunities for further research related to a possible combination of the two types of integrity programs.