This post originally appeared on Corporate Compliance Trends.
Ethics is an increasingly important component of doing business for both small and medium sized enterprises to multinational corporations in today’s globalized world. The Center for International Private Enterprise (CIPE) has long been an active advocate for better business practices with its focus on anti-corruption initiatives and promoting corporate social responsibility.
Ethisphere Institute, a global leader in defining and advancing the standards of ethical business practices, recognized CIPE leaders and partners for their contributions to advancing business ethics. Ethisphere magazine listed CIPE’s Executive Director John D. Sullivan and Michael Hershman, member of CIPE’s board of directors, as the top 100 most influential individuals in business ethics in 2014.
Hershman is an internationally recognized expert on matters relating to transparency, accountability, governance, litigation, and security. Sullivan is the author of numerous publications on the transition to democracy, corporate governance, anti-corruption, and market-oriented democratic development. Under his leadership, CIPE developed a number of innovative approaches that link democratic development to market reforms in the areas of combating corruption, promoting corporate governance, building the capacity of business associations, supporting the informal sector, and assisting women and youth entrepreneurs. Sullivan recently delivered remarks to mark the anniversary of the UN Global Compact in New York, which commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 10th Principle against Corruption. Sullivan’s remarks emphasized the importance of addressing the issues of the business enabling environment and the informal sector as the key factors in accomplishing the anti-corruption goal of the Compact.
Additionally, Ethisphere recognized Dr. Ognian Shentov, Chairman of theCenter for Study of Democracy in Bulgaria, and Dr. Jesus Estanislao, Chairman of the Philippine Institute of Corporate Directors and the Institute for Solidarity in Asia. The Center for the Study of Democracy, a long-time CIPE partner, is a champion of anti-corruption efforts in Bulgaria and has played an integral role in the efforts to combat corruption, promote transparency and accountability. Furthermore, CIPE has worked with both the Philippine Institute of Corporate Directors and the Institute for Solidarity in Asia on initiatives toimprove public governance at all levels in the Philippines.
Estanislao is also a Steering Committee member of the Free Enterprise and Democracy Network (FEDN), established by CIPE in 2012 to promote international engagement around the principles of free enterprise and democracy. The network provides a mechanism for private sector leaders and advocates of economic freedom to participate in an exchange of ideas across borders and make the case for democratic, prosperous societies. FEDN’s experts also advise and provide technical assistance to market reformers in countries undergoing democratic transitions. They share their knowledge of specific policy subjects, governance, and economics, as well as broader lessons and experience with democratic processes.
In a global business environment that pays great attention to increasing transparency and combating corruption, Ethisphere’s ranking highlights the importance of business ethics and recognizes the value of ethical leadership in business, government, academia, and non-profits.
Teodora Mihaylova is Research Coordinator at CIPE.