Anti-Corruption Strategies for Businesses Operating in Russia

Anti-Corruption Strategies for Businesses Operating in Russia

Author(s): Elena Denisova-Schmidt, Alena Ledeneva, Stanislav Shekshnia
Editor(s): Stephen Aris, Matthias Neumann, Robert Orttung, Jeronim Perovic, Heiko Pleines, Hans-Henning Schröder, Aglaya Snetkov
Series: Russian Analytical Digest (RAD)
Issue: 144
Pages: 5-7
Publisher(s): Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich; Research Centre for East European Studies, University of Bremen; Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies, George Washington University
Publication Year: 2014

In spite of the fact that many companies operating in Russia actively undertake specific actions to prevent corrupt acts, most of them do not have a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy. Their definitions of corruption are vague, their actions target marginal corrupt practices, but miss important threats, and their communications are ambiguous. In our research, however, we came across a number of organizations, both local and foreign, who have not only made corruption mitigation their strategic priority, but who have created efficient and effective anti-corruption governance systems. In combination with existing theory, these systems could serve as potent blueprints for leaders who want to take control of corruption at their firms.