What does corruption mean?

Corruption refers to something that has gone bad, that passes into a state of rot
or perversion. Therefore, altering the basic properties and becoming much more
cloudy and negative.

The term comes from the combination of two Latin words: break and heart. This
metaphorical sense precisely means the loss of the essence of an object or
value.

Characteristics of corruption
 Abuse of power, which is expressed through the use of opportunities
from public or private positions, to obtain group or personal benefits.

 Lack and/or weaknesses of the procedures and institutional mechanisms

that guarantee transparency in the exercise of functions.

 Weakness in the legal frameworks that classify and penalize public

administrative corruption.

 Reinforcement of individualistic attitudes and consumerism, substituting

ethical values, such as solidarity, honesty and responsibility

Types of corruption
Large-scale corruption or corruption on a grand scale.

Large-scale corruption consists of acts committed at the highest levels of

government that involve the distortion of policies or central functions of the
State, and that allow leaders to benefit at the expense of the common good.

Acts of minor corruption or petty corruption.

Petty acts of corruption consist of the day-to-day abuse of power by low- and
mid-level public officials when interacting with ordinary citizens, who often try to
access basic goods and services in settings such as hospitals, schools, police
departments, and other agencies.

Examples of corruption
 Extortion under the protection of high positions in the public or private
function, to force other people to do things beyond their duties.

 The falsification of public awards, with false contracts and outside the
channels that the law imposes.

 Influence peddling, using the benefits or friendships in hierarchical

positions to favor or harm causes or projects.
  The illegal use or with bad intentions of the assets that have been
conferred for another use

5 Measures to prevent corruption

 Get rid of impunity. In the event of an incident of corruption, it must be
treated with the full weight of the law, without favoritism of any kind, in
order to punish the act and show other collaborators the consequences
of committing a crime similar.

 Evaluate the work context. It is essential that the managers of the

companies plan and undertake periodic evaluations of the real situation
of the workers, which allow them to know and identify the areas or
processes in which they could be participants in corruption.

 clear rules. It is essential that they create and disseminate an anti-

corruption regulatory policy throughout all facilities, that is, clear rules on
what actions would be illegal and what their consequences would be.

 Promotion of work ethics and responsibility. One of the most suggested

measures is that, on a regular basis, good ethical practices within the
workplace are promoted, as well as social values, among the different
areas of the company.

 Courses and trainings. One of the best investments any company can
make is to offer regular training on corruption and its consequences.