I
| What kinds of moral dilemmas do large companies face? Can you think of any examples?
|
CB
| I think if you were to look at any company’s ethical code you would usually find in it a section about offering bribes and this can be an area where I think people can get themselves into hot water. Facilitation payments are part of doing business in many countries, and bribes are something which most companies are not going to get involved in. But when does a facilitation payment become a bribe? And that is a question that can be quite difficult to answer.
|
I
| Can you think of an example where a facilitation payment is clearly a facilitation payment and not a bribe?
|
CB
| I think that there are many examples. When you are paying consultants to make introductions to new business contacts, obviously the reason you choose these consultants is because they are well placed to give that kind of advice in a particular country. And you’re paying for that introduction.
|
I
| Can you give an example of a facilitation which is closer to a bribe?
|
CB
| I would say size is important. Sometimes facilitation payments are out of proportion to the kind of business that you are expecting to win. I think there are many instances. Also, you have to be careful with such issues as nepotism.
|