Integritetspraxis

Integritetspraxis, literally "integrity practice", refers to a set of ethical guidelines and procedures adopted by organizations and individuals to ensure honesty, transparency, and responsibility in their actions. The term emerged in the early 1990s within the Scandinavian business community, reflecting a growing concern about corporate misconduct and public mistrust. It has since been adopted globally, especially by governmental agencies, educational institutions, and non‑profit organizations.

The core principles of integritetspraxis include: adherence to legal and regulatory requirements; commitment to ethical conduct beyond mere compliance; active disclosure of conflicts of interest; and accountability mechanisms that allow stakeholders to monitor and report violations. Implementation typically involves the establishment of codes of conduct, training programs, internal audit functions, and independent oversight bodies such as ethics committees.

In practice, integritetspraxis is applied in areas ranging from financial reporting and procurement to research ethics and environmental stewardship. For example, multinational corporations may adopt integritetspraxis by instituting whistleblower hotlines and compulsory ethics training for all employees. Public sector agencies use the framework to strengthen public trust, often integrating it with broader governance reforms.

Critics argue that integritetspraxis can become a formality, particularly when enforcement is weak or when organizational culture resists genuine transparency. Nevertheless, many scholars view strong integritetspraxis as essential for sustainable business performance and societal welfare.