Bribery in Contracting: Professional and Ethical Options

Bribery in Contracting 1
BRIBERY IN CONTRACTING
Name
Course
Professor
University
City
Date

Bribery in Contracting 2
Restrictions on international bribery as mentioned in the Foreign Corrupt Practices act
have presented controversial reactions and views among the US business organizations
(McKinney and Moore, 2008). People usually give divided opinions when asked about the issue
of bribery in contracting. The diversity in people’s views can be attributed to differences in
moralism, cultural relativism, legalism, and pragmatism. Some people view the act of bribery as
unethical or immoral while others consider it as the cost of doing business. This essay analyzes
the different professional and ethical options when presented by a bribery dilemma.
As the CEO of a software company looking to expand the business in a foreign country,
my company has been asked by a department in the foreign government to pay a bribe to win a
competitive bid for a project seeking to implement a new system for the Taxes and Revenue
Agency. However, I believe my company presents the best offer regarding cost, expertise, and
quality. The following are the two possible options for the scenario: pay up the bribe and get the
contract, or refuse to pay and trust that the department will take up my offer based on my
company’s merits.
The advantage of paying the bribe will be that the company will get the contract which
will lead to economic growth of the firm (Johnsen, 2009). The disadvantage would, however, be
that it would go against our ethics and company policy which is rooted deep in our employees.
On the other hand, not paying the bribe will be advantages because I would not risk permanently
damaging my company just to win one contract. The disadvantage, however, would be a loss of
the contract.
The second alternative is ethical because asking for bribes is illegal in many
constitutions. It is also an unfair way of choosing since it disadvantages those without the
finances to pay the bribe. Paying a bribe is unprofessional because it encourages such unethical