Executive Summary

In this research paper, we attempt to explore initiatives introduced by the United Nations in support of anti-corruption in emerging markets, such as Principle 10 of the United Nation’s Global Compact. We determined to explore this topic area after realizing a paradox: while the United Nations has recognized the phenomenon of corruption as “one of the world’s greatest challenges”, the sole UN principle that addresses this issue is under-developed and is the least among the four focus areas of the Compact (as compared to human rights, labour, and environment). Furthermore, there are even less initiatives undertaken by the UN that specifically address the prevention of corruption in emerging markets, both in business and government sectors. We begin by providing a literature review of past research in our topic area, followed by a theoretical analysis of the causes of corruption in emerging markets. As part of this theory, we have identified five variables that are our focus: level of poverty, cultural boundaries and differences, access to education, amount of extortion and bribery in government and business, and level of transparency and accountability. Using these variables, we arrive at new conclusions and then provide a discussion on their implications for international managers. Throughout the paper, we also explore the magnitude of the effects that have resulted from the addition of Principle 10 to the Global Compact.

Introduction

A wide variety of research on corruption has been done over the past century: from studies on its effect on democratic voting procedures (e.g. Peters and Welch, 1980) to its consequences for small business in Russia (Barkhatova, 2000). The truth is that this ancient problem reaches far and wide, and that “it has had variegated incidence in different times at different places, with varying degrees of