More than half (52.4 percent) of C-suite and other executives say global corporate ethical behavior has improved since the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 15 years ago in July 2002, according to a recent Deloitte poll. But challenges remain, as only 41.3 percent of execs say their organizations have strong global ethics cultures. More than 930 c-suite and other executives responded to poll questions during a Deloitte Dbriefs webcast May 24, 2017. Respondents largely work in the financial services (27.7 percent), consumer and industrial products (23 percent) and technology, media and telecommunications (9.1 percent) industries. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/pages/dbriefs-webcasts/events/may/2017/dbriefs-global-ethics-and-compliance-in-uncertain-times-leveling-the-playing-field.html

1. Global ethics and compliance in
uncertain times: Leveling the
playing field
Deloitte Poll results from May 24, 2017

2. Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. 2
Methodology
More than 930c-suite and other executives
responded to poll questions during the Deloitte
Dbriefs webcast, “Global ethics and compliance in
uncertain times: Leveling the playing field,” on May
24, 2017. Respondents largely work in the financial
services (27.7 percent), consumer and industrial
products (23 percent) and technology, media and
telecommunications (9.1 percent) industries. Answer
rates differed by question.

3. Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. 3
How would you describe your organization’s global ethics
culture?
Votes received: 1,482
15.2% Don’t know/not applicable
Moderate
Leadership is supportive,
but we could do better
rewarding behaviors that
support and align with the
values of the code of
conduct across the
organization
Weak
We could do better in
securing leadership support
and in rewarding behaviors
that support and align with
the values of the code of
conduct across the
organization
Strong
Leadership is supportive
of behaviors that support
and align with the values
of the code of conduct
and these behaviors are
rewarded across the
organization
41.3% 8.3%35.2%

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Does your organization measure the effectiveness of its global
ethics compliance program?
Votes received: 1,432
32.9% Don’t know/not applicable
25.5%
No
28%
Yes - annually
13.6%
Yes-less
frequently than
annually

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Which do you think poses the biggest challenge to employee
compliance in your organization’s global ethics program?
Votes received: 1,420
28% Don’t know/not applicable
Differing ethical standards for various employee
groups (i.e. C-suite and board are held to higher level
of compliance than other professionals; employees
held to higher standard than C-suite and the board,
etc.)
Lacking incentives (i.e. financial, performance
evaluation, etc.) to reward ethical behavior and
repercussions for unethical behavior
Inconsistency of clear, concise and frequent ethics
program communications and training for all
employees
Varied ethical postures of third parties with whom
employees regularly interact
12.5%
16.3%
28.5%
14.8%

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How confident are you that your organizations’ employees will
report unethical behavior involving fellow employees, clients and
other third parties?
Votes received: 1,230
11.7% Don’t know/not applicable
Not
Confident
Somewhat
Confident
Confident
8.4% 32.5%47.4%

7. Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. 7
Votes received: 934
Compared to 15 years ago, when the Sarbanes-Oxley Act was
enacted in July 2002 , do you think global corporate ethical
behavior has changed?
16.8% Don’t know/not applicable
27.2%17.7%8.2%7.1% 7.9%
Yes, global corporate ethical
behavior has improved since
then
52.4%
No Change
20.2%
Yes-global corporate
ethical behavior has
gotten worse since then
10.6%

8. Copyright © 2017 Deloitte Development LLC. All rights reserved. 8
Shelley Pfaendler
Public Relations
Deloitte Services LP
spfaendler@deloitte.com
Full press release available on Deloitte.com
Media contact

9. The statements in this report reflect the aggregation of poll responses and are not intended to reflect facts or opinions of
any entities. All data, charts and statistics referenced and presented, as well as the representations made and opinions
expressed, unless specifically described otherwise, pertain only to the participants and their responses to the Deloitte
Advisory poll. The information obtained during the poll was taken “as is” and was not validated or confirmed by Deloitte.
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