Knowledge Hub · 02
Types of unethical behaviour.
Unethical governance and the absence of accountability take many forms across institutions and sectors. The ten patterns below appear again and again in the work we do.
- 01
Corruption
Bribery, embezzlement, kickbacks and nepotism. Using a position of power for personal gain or favours.
- 02
Fraud
Deliberate deception to secure unfair or unlawful gain — financial misstatements, manipulated accounts, false representation of information.
- 03
Conflict of Interest
Individuals in authority whose personal interests could influence decisions or actions in a way detrimental to the organisation or its stakeholders.
- 04
Abuse of Power
Misuse of authority to oppress, intimidate or exploit others — arbitrary decision-making, unjust treatment, coercion.
- 05
Lack of Transparency
Institutions withhold or manipulate information, making it difficult for stakeholders to assess actions or hold leaders accountable.
- 06
Non-compliance with Regulations
Ignoring or circumventing legal or regulatory requirements, exposing the organisation to legal risk and compromising its integrity.
- 07
Neglect of Stakeholder Interests
Failing to consider the interests of employees, customers and the community when making decisions.
- 08
Environmental and Social Harm
Engaging in practices that damage the environment or exploit vulnerable communities without regard for their well-being.
- 09
Poor Corporate Governance
Weak oversight structures, ineffective risk management and the absence of internal controls — all of which open the door to misconduct.
- 10
Whistleblower Retaliation
Punishing or silencing those who report wrongdoing inside the organisation — discouraging others from speaking up.
Addressing these issues requires robust governance, transparency, accountability frameworks — and a culture of integrity. This is where IIEGA comes in.
Further Reading
See how these patterns play out in our coverage and in the written work of the IIEGA Board of Advisors.