Why Boards Can’t Delegate Ethics

What is the common factor in most corporate scandals? Whatever the actual crime, it results from a choice to act against the ethical values of an organization.  Despite research over the past 20 years that also shows that organizations with a strong ethical culture outperform their peers, boards of directors often devote little time to developing a culture of integrity.

• What are the legal consequences of not creating an ethics and compliance program?
• What are the benefits of creating a culture of integrity?
• What factors contribute to boards being tempted to delegate ethics?
• How can a board be actively involved in ethics without micromanaging?