Bribery and corruption continue to be major international business challenges. Some firms claim that in many countries, public sector contracts can simply not be obtained unless major payments are made to government officials. Furthermore, the FCPA of the United States exposes companies and their managers doing business in the United States to harsh financial penalties and prison sentences if they violate the FCPA. On the other hand, many competing firms are said to bribe their way to the contract. Such action is particularly onerous when a specific project serves as the entryway into subsequent, much larger business activities. In consequence, some firms keep at a distance from their foreign appointed intermediaries and agents, since they do not want to know the details of how the contract was won. Others develop in-house formal antibribery programs that all employees must learn about. 

Questions 

1. As a shareholder, how do you evaluate the need for companies to go beyond the letter of the law?