Differences between corruption, bribes, questionable payments, and gift-giving
Differences between corruption, bribes, questionable payments, and gift-giving
The above name terms in their most basic forms are rather simple and easy to define.
• Corruption refers to the power holder / brokers' availability and willingness to accept rewards for certain official behavior that other wise would not occur.
• Bribe refers to the material and non material rewards that will be accompanying certain action by official representative of particular institution / organization.
• Questionable payments refers to rewards that would be construed as unusual or out of standard operating procedures.
• Gift Giving refers to a material or non material reward with the intention to recompense certain actions and behaviors.
Generally speaking, the definition of these terms points to one common denominator; intentions. The "givers'" and "receivers'" actions can basically be differentiated by their intention; gift giving could be construed as bribe if the intention was to persuade someone to behave in a particular way. Similarly, a bribe my not be bribe but gift giving if the intention was to show appreciation.
Certainly, there are other components such as culture, tradition, business practices, laws and political consideration that would influence the definition; for instance what might appear as gift giving and perfectly acceptable in Turkey, may be considered bribe in Germany or Italy.
It is important to consider these terms in a context which should include, location, laws, political impact as well as traditional business behavior. Such consideration will enable the business stakeholders to have the most viable conduct.
The above name terms in their most basic forms are rather simple and easy to define.
• Corruption refers to the power holder / brokers' availability and willingness to accept rewards for certain official behavior that other wise would not occur.
• Bribe refers to the material and non material rewards that will be accompanying certain action by official representative of particular institution / organization.
• Questionable payments refers to rewards that would be construed as unusual or out of standard operating procedures.
• Gift Giving refers to a material or non material reward with the intention to recompense certain actions and behaviors.
Generally speaking, the definition of these terms points to one common denominator; intentions. The "givers'" and "receivers'" actions can basically be differentiated by their intention; gift giving could be construed as bribe if the intention was to persuade someone to behave in a particular way. Similarly, a bribe my not be bribe but gift giving if the intention was to show appreciation.
Certainly, there are other components such as culture, tradition, business practices, laws and political consideration that would influence the definition; for instance what might appear as gift giving and perfectly acceptable in Turkey, may be considered bribe in Germany or Italy.
It is important to consider these terms in a context which should include, location, laws, political impact as well as traditional business behavior. Such consideration will enable the business stakeholders to have the most viable conduct.
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