Innovation, Integrity and Inclusive Business

In an environment where corruption seems to thrive including in business circles, innovation definitely becomes a critical success factor for upholding the principle of integrity in business. Businesses are continuously under pressure to apply under handed methods in their operations as it is perceived as the unspoken success strategy. Today success in business goes beyond high performing numbers, as external indicators such as brand reputation and contribution to social development are also becoming key indicators for success. How can businesses operate with integrity in a hostile environment and still reap the benefits of both commercial and social value. Organizations have to decide and commit to avoid corruption in their operations despite the mounting pressure from the environment. It’s my opinion that innovation in product development, supply and distribution chains/processes and general operations provides a buffer against the pressure of corruption. This provides the sync between the Business Innovation Facility (BIF) and Convention on Business Integrity(CBI) the Nigeria implementing partner of the BIF project.

In his recent interview published on the Practitioners hub, Soji Apampa, the BIF Nigeria Country Manager discussed some of the challenges that face businesses in Nigeria and how innovation through inclusive Business provides a model organizations could leverage to achieve better outcome for themselves and the community they operate in without undermining integrity and best practices. Click here for the full discussion.