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​Integrity is not just something nice-to-have, but it is something that pays significant economic returns. In her book The Economics of Integrity, journalist Anna Bernasek analyses the enormous economic value of integrity. Taking the reader on a journey over several economic sectors, including milk production, car manufacturing, and central banking, the book explains how much of today’s prosperity is only possible because economic actors trust each other. This makes integrity one of the most important assets not only of an individual business, but also of a country as a whole. For some this might be counterintuitive and require a change of thinking:

• “The dictionary defines integrity in terms of adherence to moral principles, rectitude, honor, and honesty. These are certainly admirable qualities. But we need to understand integrity as not simply a virtue but a shared asset that brings financial and economic rewards.” (p.11)

​Businesses should invest in integrity not only because it is the “right thing”, but also because it will ultimately improve the bottom line:

• “By appreciating integrity as an asset that is valuable, companies can learn how to invest in it and create wealth. Knowing the techniques for investing in integrity, brands, feedback, and communications, among other things, we can build sustainable and valuable businesses.” (p.3)

What is true for the individual business is also true for countries as a whole:

• “Investing in integrity is a way of making the pie bigger so that everyone is better off. It’s a new way of thinking about the economy. By investing in our shared integrity asset, we can find a new way forward.” (p.16)

​Establishing integrity systems is one form of making such investments in integrity. Companies that do so successfully, such as eBay, can gain a significant competitive advantage in the market place. Trident Integrity, a driver for business integrity in Malaysia and across the Asia-Pacific region, does exactly this by assisting private companies, NGOs, and other organisations invest in integrity systems and other integrity-related tools. For example, we help companies implement Corporate Integrity Systems, facilitate Integrity Strategy Workshops, establish Coalitions for Business Integrity, and help organisations attain the ISO 37001 accreditation.

If you are interested in finding out more about how we can help your organisation reap the benefits of business integrity, please contact us and/or browse our full list of integrity services.