Business Integrity Standards in cooperation with Transparency International Bulgaria
Companies from 3 key sectors for the Bulgarian economy - Industry, Healthcare and Energy - implemented standards for business integrity. They include good governance, prevention of conflict of interest, protection from discrimination, management of disciplinary proceedings, privacy and data protection, environmental protection, protection of whistleblowers.
Through Business Integrity Initiative TI-Bulgaria actively participates in strengthening the role of the private sector in the fight against corruption in Bulgaria. The goal is to encourage the adoption of anti-corruption standards and the development of a culture of business integrity in Bulgaria as part of the modern ESG requirements and will increase the competitiveness of the companies.
Among the partners of TI-Bulgaria in the Energy sector are NEK, Kozloduy NPP, Hydroenergy Company AD and "Gelishev" EOOD.
From the Industry sector are PIM Haskovo, Sky Mont and Kirovtsi.
From the Healthcare sector our partners are: University First Medical University Hospital "St. John the Baptist",FiHealth Medical Center Sofia, Knyaginya Clementina Medical Hospital
What our partners share about the implementation of the standards?
„"The business integrity policy of Sky Mount is designed to enforce good governance, integrity and ethical values in all processes of the Organization and at all structural levels," said Diana Kondova from Sky Mount.“, заяви Диана Кондова от фирма „Скай Монт“.
„"The hospital's management has always been open to promoting and supporting transparent management, prevention of conflicts of interest, open communication and respect, which also leads to better satisfaction from working with the hospital's employees and patients.", shared from First University Hospital "St. John the Baptist”.“, споделиха от Университетска Първа МБАЛ „Св. Йоан Кръстител“.
„"I am grateful to Transparency International Bulgaria for its help in drafting all standards. As well as the documents that will increase the awareness of our employees. I expect the quality of management processes to improve. And to build a culture of engagement among employees. So that they do not afraid of whistleblowing when there is a mechanism that protects them. As a final result of all implemented standards, I expect the adding value to the service we provide to our patients to improve." said Dr. Daniela Chavdarova, Manager of FiHealth Medical Center Sofia.“ каза доктор Даниела Чавдарова, управител на Медицински център ФиХелт София“.
Outside the three sectors, TI-Bulgaria has implemented standards for business integrity and good governance in the Bulgarian Development Bank and Haskovo Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
We are seeing increased employee engagement with the internal regulatory framework, which leads to increased loyalty and corporate integrity. The main reasons for the better adoption and compliance with corporate standards and principles are due to the commitment of the management, as well as the need to meet the expectations of the bank's partners and the public," said a representative of Bulgarian Development Bank.
Business integrity is both a goal and a way to achieve sustainable business development through collective action. The initiative looks at these actions through the prism of the commitment of government institutions, business, academia and civil society, perceiving the private sector as a driving force for the development of an overall culture of integrity.
In order to unite the efforts of modern-minded businesses that appreciate the benefits of applying the philosophy of business integrity and share values such as openness to society, integrity and compliance with ethical standards, Transparency International Bulgaria has also created a Business Integrity Club, which includes the American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, the Association of Bulgarian Investor Relations Directors, the Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Confindutria Bulgaria, The National Organization of Customs Agents (NOCA). The Business Integrity Club disseminates ethical values, business practices and standards and encourages the implementation of more transparent and responsible processes among the members of business associations. American Chamber of Commerce in Bulgaria, Association of Bulgarian Investor Relations Directors, Bulgarian Industrial Capital Association, Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Bulgarian-Swiss Chamber of Commerce, Confindutria Bulgaria, The National Organization of Customs Agents (NOCA). Бизнес интегрити клубът разпространява етичните ценности, бизнес практики и стандарти и насърчава въвеждането на по-прозрачни и отговорни процеси сред членовете на бизнес асоциациите.
The team of Transparency International Bulgaria is convinced that university education for business integrity plays a crucial role in shaping the ethical attitudes of future leaders and responsible citizens in Bulgaria. With the Business Integrity course at the Faculty of Economics of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski we develop the potential of students and the cooperation between business and the academia to build the capacity of future business leaders.
As a result of the Business Integrity initiative, good governance and business integrity have evolved from concepts into recognizable and practical tools.
You could read the entire article in Bulgarian on the website of the Standard newspaper. Стандарт.
