KICG

    Das Konstanz Institut für Corporate Governance

    KICG study investigates compliance communication in German companies

    Together with the communications agency Martin et Karczinski, the question was analysed of how questions of compliance can gain external credibility and internal persuasiveness, even for large corporations.

    The Munich agency for corporate identity and corporate design "Martin et Karczinski" has published a study on the topic of compliance together with the Konstanz Institute for Corporate Governance. Based on a fundamental analysis, 'Communication Potentials in Compliance Systems of German Companies' shows how questions of compliance can gain external credibility and internal persuasiveness even for large corporations. Chief Compliance Officers and Compliance Officers of 64 mostly listed companies are also quoted in the study.

    In view of ongoing scandals and the associated loss of image and trust, integrity management has become an important key to coping with the future. On more than 144 pages, 'communication potential' reads like a thriller, not only because of the statements of compliance officers in companies such as Adidas, Siemens and Deutsche Telekom. The authors also succeed in conclusively isolating success factors for functioning compliance. This includes high-quality training programs in which representatives of top management participate just as much as employees in sensitive functions. The second success factor is the attribution of compliance to the line responsibility of managers ('tone from the top'). The third success factor is the core of any functioning compliance: communication. "Integrity management only works when different communication tools and channels are used," summarizes Professor Dr. Stephan Grüninger from the Constance Institute of Corporate Governance. "The study shows that compliance can be communicated via the brand and thus provide opportunities to promote employee identification in companies," adds Daniel Karczinski (Martin et Karczinski). "This result confirms that our daily compliance work, for example with AUDI AG, is in line with the principles of corporate governance".

    The study "Communication potentials in compliance systems of German companies" is available via e-mail to compliance-Studie@metk.de for 38.90 euros plus VAT and shipping costs (shipping via Deutsche Post).

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