Bribery represents the most common form of corruption.

1. Chart of the Week
CW-049 | March 2014
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Practices: 2013 Edition at: ( http://www.conferenceboard.org/sustainabilitypractices) or contact
Matteo Tonello at matteo.tonello@conferenceboard.org
THE CONFERENCE BOARD INITIATIVE ON SUSTAINABILITY™
Why it matters…
––Bribery represents the most common form of corruption.
It can significantly impede economic growth and stability,
undermine political and economic order, increase the cost of
doing business, and perpetuate poverty. It has been estimated
that over $1 trillion in bribes are paid globally each year.1
––Companies involved in bribery do not operate in the best
interests of their stakeholders (including employees and
shareholders), but for the individual interests of important
decision makers. Business decisions influenced by bribery
can be costly and can negatively affect a company’s long-term
performance, reputation, and credibility.
1 Daniel Kaufmann, “Myths and Realities of Governance and Corruption,” Global
Competitiveness Report 2005-2006, World Economic Forum, 2005, p. 96.
Anti-bribery Policies
FROM SUSTAINABILITY PRACTICES: 2013 EDITION
Thirty-nine percent of S&P Global 1200 companies
reported having a policy specifically against bribery, but
fewer than one-quarter of S&P 500 companies reported
having such a policy. The analysis by sector reveals
that materials companies were most likely to have an
anti-bribery policy, while companies in the consumer
discretionary sector were least likely. The geographic
analysis shows that European companies lead their global
peers in terms of reporting an anti-bribery policy.
Anti-bribery Policy, Adoption Rate by Sector
Figure 4.2
Anti-bribery Policy, Adoption Rate by Sector
29% 43 39 35 38
46 33 48 43 38
Source: The Conference Board/Bloomberg, 2013.
Industrials Information Materials Telecommunication Utilities
89 cos. technology 57 cos. services 27 cos.
37 cos. 16 cos.
Consumer Consumer Energy Financials Health
discretionary staples 36 cos. 75 cos. care
49 cos. 44 cos. 32 cos.
Source: The Conference Board/Bloomberg, 2013.
Anti-bribery Policy, Adoption Rate by Geography
22% 54% 61% 30%
North America Latin America Europe Asia-Pacific
119 cos. 20 cos. 223 cos. 74 cos.
Source: The Conference Board/Bloomberg, 2013.
Anti-bribery Policy, Adoption Rate by Index
39% 23 14462 cos. 113 cos. 139 cos.
S&P Global 1200 S&P 500 Russell 1000
Source: The Conference Board/Bloomberg, 2013.