70% of Indian businesses feel slight cheating is okay

Around 70 per cent of Indian business feels that at least one form of unethical conduct is justified to meet financial targets, even as the perception of bribery and corruption being widespread in the country has gone down over the years, says a report.

According to the findings of tax advisory firm EY's '14th Global Fraud Survey', there is a gradual but positive shift away from the perception of bribery and corruption being widespread in the country among 58 per cent respondents in India.

This is less than 67 per cent and 70 per cent observed in 2014 and 2012 respectively.

"The government has already undertaken significant steps to augment transparency and crack down on corruption which is reflected in the survey," EY noted.

Interestingly, the survey found that "70 per cent of those surveyed believe that at least one form of unethical conduct can be justified to meet financial targets".

It also noted that 30 per cent of respondents are prepared to book revenues earlier than they should be recognised - the highest proportion globally.

Further, 44 per cent surveyed considered practices such as entertainment, personal gifts or services, cash payments or misrepresentation of financial performance acceptable means to meet business targets.

As per EY, government-led initiatives, including tax reforms and the Make in India initiative, have made India a global leader for foreign direct investment.

"Despite the initiatives and the progress, respondents who exited or considered exiting India still frequently cited fraud, bribery and corruption, as well as inconsistent or arbitrary enforcement of laws and regulations, as key reasons for their exit," it said.

The survey was conducted among 50 top executives in the country.

The report also noted that 80 per cent believe that prosecution of individuals would help deter future fraud, bribery and corruption by executives.

"Today, the global business environment is clamouring for enhanced transparency at a time of increased geopolitical tensions and heightened volatility in financial markets," EY India partner and national leader fraud investigation and dispute services Arpinder Singh said.

"The escalating threats of cyber crime, terrorist financing and, more recently, the revelations on widespread possible misuse of offshore jurisdictions, have increased pressure on governments to act and companies to identify and mitigate fraud, bribery and corruption issues," Singh added.

The survey participants included chief financial officers, heads of internal audit, company secretaries and other stakeholders across sectors and corporates.