Analysis of Articles about Corruption - Essay Example

? Annotated Bibliography Annotated Bibliography Ambrasseys, N., and Bilham, R. . Corruption kills. Nature, 469(7329), 153-155. This study takes yet another unique approach to anyone studying issues of corruption. Many studies focus on issues of corruption, bribery, and ethics from a purely economic perspective. There is, however, a human factor involved as well. These two authors recently conducted a study of the myriad of deaths that occur globally every year as a result of unethical business practices, particularly in terms of building code violations. The study points out for example, the number of deaths estimated to occur during earthquakes worldwide as a result of people being inside buildings that did not abide the earthquake engineering principles of the region. In essence, this study is highly effective because it begins to show the human cost to corruption, more than just a financial one. Bishara, N. (2011). Governance and corruption constraints in the Middle East: Overcoming the business ethics glass ceiling. American Business Law Journal, 48(2), 227-283. This is an in-depth study that analyzes the way corruption in many areas of business in Middle East has impacted the ability of small and medium-sized family businesses from growing too large. The author is a Middle Eastern business expert and has a unique spin on the glass ceiling. Taking a commonly used sociological term, Bishara spins that to demonstrate how certain types and sizes of business operating in the Middle East encounter a glass ceiling upon growing too big and quickly discover how corruption prevents them from growing even more, and limits their economic ability. He does this be talking about various issues related to corruption, including bribery and exploitation, and how this limits the continued development and expansion of small to medium sized enterprises. The glass ceiling, then, prevents the ethically minded firm from truly growing as an organization. Chauncey, M., and Jude, R. (2010). Daily practice: Ethics in Leadership. Contemporary Issues in Education Research, 3(7), 19. Chanucy and Jude are focused on educating future business leaders, and current managers in the field, about the importance for teaching ethics in school. They focus on the reality that many universities and colleges around the country tout their own ethics, yet they often fail in their attempts to educate future leaders about the importance of creating an ethical and honest business environment when they move into the professional world. This is the first of a series of studies aimed at illustrating the importance of ethics in leadership and provides the reader with some great information about what concepts to employ moving forward. Hansen, H. (2011). Managing corruption risks. Review of International Political Economy, 18(2), 251-275. In this study, rather than simply focusing on the effects of corruption, Hansen goes further to provide the reader with specific measure that they can implement to shield themselves from the risks of corruption. His focus is on Western companies who are looking to expand internationally. There are obviously risks in making this step, many of which involve how to navigate the business landscape in the host country. By minimizing the risks of corruption from the outset, the company can limit potential losses down the road. He proposes certain networks that need to be established, prior to entering a foreign market, in order to limit the possibility that corruption will become a necessity. The article is quite in-depth and would be a great inclusion to the library of any executive tasked with the responsibility of navigating international business markets. Johnson, V. (2012). Higher education, corruption, and reform. Contemporary Readings in Law and Social Justice, 4(1), 478. This study by Johnson takes another unique look at corruption by put into context of higher education. Many individuals understand that corruption exists in higher education around the world, but many fail to focus on the United States. Johnson look specifically at America and provides the reader with numerous reform efforts that are sorely needed in order to expose and penalize certain institutions that continue to put unethical practices above the need to equalize the playing field for all students. He effectively provides the reader with a series of ‘best practices’ that can be implemented by colleges and universities to accomplish just this and to play their role in fighting corruption throughout American society. Kahana, N., and Oijun, L. (2010). Endemic corruption. European Journal of Political Economy, 26(1), 82-88. Kahana and Oijun use this article to look specifically at the regional and local governments of China to determine why there is such rampant corruption on the part of officials in some of those regions. They discovered that there is a pyramid effect in terms of bribes expected that rise right up the top of the leadership chain. In order to for one official to receive a bribe, they must first pay a bribe to a preceding official, and down the line it goes. This is a ground breaking look at the spirit of corruption in China and why it can be consider to be a problem of endemic proportions. The authors also look at the bureaucracy present in China and examines way that this contributes, to a large degree, the view that many Chinese officials take towards the acceptance of bribes, and why corruption seems to continue to spin out of control. Li, R. (2013). Media corruption: A Chinese characteristic. Journal of Business Ethics, 116(2), 297-310. Many studies point to China as an example of corruption, even though most countries globally exhibit corruption of one level or another, due to the fact that the country is so prominent on the world scene. Li uses his article on Chinese corruption to shed a slightly different light on the issue, however, as he focuses on the media. He looks at journalistic practices undertaken by the Chinese over the years, and continuing to this day, that can be seen as unethical and bordering on malpractice. He is highly critical of the profession, stating the Chinese journalists lack professionalism and that they do not have any true regard for internationally recognized codes of ethics for individuals involved in the media profession. In the end, the study makes some excellent points and contains great information, but researchers will want to be cautious about over relying on the information contained therein as it is filled with author bias. Shahakyan, N., and Stiegert, K. (2012). Corruption and firm performance. Eastern European Economics, 50(6), 5-27. In this 22-page study, Shahakyan and Stiegert focus on the relationship before the performance of any given firm and the amount of corruption that is existence within and without. They begin by reminding the reader that numerous studies have point out the disastrous consequences that a spirit of corruption can have on the long-term success and viability of a firm, yet the equally stark fact that corruption seems to continue to run amuck in many areas of the world. They provide a great deal of statistical research that points to the effects of corruption on firm performance and implore governments to consider stronger enforcement of antitrust policies in order to encourage companies to do a stronger job of rotting out corruption and begin to act in a more ethical manner moving forward. Tran, B. (2010). International business ethics. Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, 9(3), 236-255. Here, Tran has written an in-depth study in the ethical behavior existent in many areas of international business today. He writes that practices today border on unethical in many situations, so much so that it almost seems uncontrollable. He spends this article, however, expressing a highly optimistic tone that the problem is not at all incurable. The study looks at the key players and roles in an organization (such as the chief ethics officer, the tone demonstrated at the top of the leadership chain, and the effectiveness of so called whistle blower hotlines) to make the case for increased attention towards stamping out corruption in international business. By focusing on the very top management positions, and by creating a culture of ethical behavior, Tran hopes that one unethical behavior can be greatly diminished in the world of international business. Yolles, M., and Sawagvudcharee, O. (2010). Understanding corruption. Organization Transformation and Social Change, 7(2), 125-149. Issues of corruption and business may, on the surface, appear easy to define, but they are actually quite complex concepts and involve many different components. The two authors of this study focus on various issues of corruption in business, as they occur globally. Corruption in Asia (one of the authors is from Thailand) is certainly different from the types of corruption one might experience is South America, so it is important to understand those innate differences in order to effectively navigate the ethical and business landscape globally. The point is made that individuals and organizations must adopt ethical, honest, socially responsible, and morally sound business practices in order to ever have a hope of truly stamping out corruption. It is an idealistic concept to be certain, but one that can never be realized until corruption is first truly understand. This study is a great attempt at doing just that. Read More