Integrity

Articles by our readers about integrity. Do you want to contribute to this category too? Please subscribe to be an author.

WORKPLACE STRESS: A REAL ORGANISATIONAL RISK

June 16, 2019 By Terry Booysen Leave a Comment

Article by Dr Dicky Els and Terrance M. Booysen

It is imperative that the impact of work-related stress and the negative impact of distress be incorporated into the organisation’s enterprise-wide risk management framework. A Bloomberg study conducted in 2013 revealed that South Africa is the second-most ‘stressed’ country out of a study of 74 countries. This is hardly surprising given the high prevalence of political instability, economic uncertainty, high unemployment and growing crime rates in South Africa. The recent cabinet reshuffle and the decision of Standard & Poor’s (S&P), including Fitch rating agencies to downgrade the country’s credit rating below investment grade to BB+ further exacerbates the political and economic uncertainty in South Africa.
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POLYGRAPH TESTING: IS IT A LEGITIMATE MEANS TO CURTAIL CRIMINAL BEHAVIOUR IN THE WORKPLACE?

June 16, 2019 By Terry Booysen Leave a Comment

By Terrance M. Booysen and reviewed by Osborne Molatudi (Partner: Hogan Lovells)

On a worldwide basis, criminal activity in the workplace — detected or undetected — is at an all-time high. Fraud, corruption and other forms of economic crimes are rife, and perceptions of increasing illicit behaviour are backed by reputable subject matter experts and research agencies, with alarming statistics. Research conducted by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) show that workplace fraud has steadily increased between 2012 and 2016. In 2012, case studies showed that the median loss caused by workplace related occupational fraud was US$140,000. But by 2016, figures showed that the median loss caused by such cases had increased to US$150,000.
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Is Your Business Performance Lack Luster? Then Start at the Top

June 15, 2019 By Sigrid Valk-Feeney Leave a Comment

In many businesses where performance does not reach the desired targets you will have finger pointing. It is a natural reaction at all levels, there is always another person, department or group that is the reason why performance targets are not achieved. In my experience, when business performance is lacking the first place I start is at the top, the Board of Directors.
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ANTI-HATE SPEECH BILL INTRODUCES NEW BUSINESS RISKS

June 14, 2019 By Terry Booysen Leave a Comment

By Robert Davies (CGF: Lead Independent Consultant) and reviewed by Terrance M. Booysen

Saying or doing something racist, or performing various deeds which falls within a long list of things the Bill deems to be hate speech — or a hate crime — could see you ending up with a criminal record. It could also severely jeopardise your business, even if you had nothing to do with the original incident.
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ETHICS: HAVE WE LOST HOPE?

June 14, 2019 By CorGovInstitute Leave a Comment

By Terrance M. Booysen and peer reviewed by David Loxton (Chief Executive Officer: Africa Forensics & Cyber)

Being able to speak the truth, without the fear of being intimidated or being politically incorrect is a liberty that sets a person free, both physically and psychologically. However, this attribute is increasingly more difficult to find in the leadership and structures of the ‘new’ democratic South Africa. This is ironic, in fact also bizarre and especially so in a country equipped with a Constitution that is considered to be one of the best in the world. But are the people of South Africa truly as liberated as they think they are, or are we slowly but surely sinking into the abyss of lower moral standards with most people too scared to speak out, and act decisively against the cancerous rot of corruption and unethical leadership?
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SEC to Companies: Come Clean on CEO vs. Worker Pay Gap

June 12, 2019 By Amir Hossein Rahdari Leave a Comment

Half a century ago, the ratio of CEO-to-worker pay was around 20-to-1, according to the Economic Policy Institute. In 2013, it was 295.9-to-1. CEO compensation has increased by 937 percent just over the last three decades (since 1978). The rise compares with a dismal 10.2 percent hike for the average U.S. worker over the same period, putting into stark contrast the relative fortunes of the superrich and everyday employees in an increasingly economically divided America.

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RESILIENCE: A POSITIVE DEVIATION AMID DIFFICULTY

June 11, 2019 By Terry Booysen Leave a Comment

Article by Dr Dicky Els and Terrance M. Booysen

With the accelerated pace of global development, fuelled by South Africa’s socio-economic and political uncertainty, there are obvious knock-on business implications that increase business risks, not least of which includes dampening the mood for local investment. It is therefore not surprising to see many organisations downsizing, restructuring and even being forced to shrink their trading operations in the face of declining revenue and higher cost pressures. Since the 2007-2008 global financial market crisis, organisations are operating in turbulent markets and have to constantly adapt to increasing business uncertainty and changing circumstances. Whilst there may be numerous economic challenges the organisation’s leadership must deal with in order to remain a sustainable and profitable concern, they also have to be acutely aware of the manner in which these severe economic stressors impacts their workforce.
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Federal D&O Litigation: Washington’s New War Zone?

June 10, 2019 By Curt Leger Leave a Comment

When the United States entered World War I, the U.S. Army boosted recruitment with a poster. Uncle Sam, symbolizing the federal government, pointed to the viewer: “I want you.” So it is with the many federal agencies that today have oversight over major companies and their directors and officers (D&O). If you or your organization have run afoul of a federal regulation, intentionally or not, the “war” is on. These agencies want you—in court.
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The Dark Side of Commitment

June 9, 2019 By Sergio Guzman Leave a Comment

The fish rots from the head, Chinese expression that stands out that the Board of Directors, as head of the organization is key to have a culture that promotes compromise among people working their; on the contrary, the company will not stand for long. Commitment is the result of a tacit or formal agreement among people agreeing on a given delivery in a specific timing and form. Commitment is what he or she (or they) asks for or offers and he or she (or they) accepts to receive what is committed in the right time frame and form and that appraisal judgments will be made reciprocally in relation with what is committed by both parties. The commitment involves both parties, since who asks for or who receives the offer must state his or her judgments in time as well, and reward the fulfilling or compensate for and repair should he had not kept in force the validity of the request. As a result of these judgments there may be compensations and the trust capital for future commitments of the company will improve or decrease. For this process to occur, the commitment of the interlocutors required:
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A comparative perspective women on boards revolution

June 9, 2019 By Guy Le Pechon 2 Comments

INTRODUCTION

The Franco British Chamber of Commerce
Founded in 1873 and with a membership network of over 700 companies, the Chamber’s objective is to lead the Franco-British business community in France.

World Women in Real Estate
WWIRE is a community that encourages world women in real estate to help each other and create an impact
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