At Artha Consulting Network, we believe that ethics and anti-corruption measures are far more than „check-the-box” compliance requirements. They are critical management capabilities that directly influence a company’s valuation, leadership credibility, and long-term organizational resilience.
On January 20, 2026, we had the privilege of conducting a specialized training session for the Management Board and department managers of Zakłady Magnezytowe „ROPCZYCE” S.A., a leader in the refractory materials industry. The session engaged over 30 key decision-makers in a strategic dialogue on the future of ethical infrastructure.
The pillars of the training
The session was designed to provide the Zakłady Magnezytowe „ROPCZYCE” S.A., leadership team with actionable frameworks in four key areas:
- The strategic value of ethics: How integrity acts as a driver for business management.
- The ethical leader profile: Moving from policy-following to active ethical leadership.
- Infrastructure for integrity: Building the systems that support ethical decision-making.
- Corruption risk mapping: Proactively identifying and mitigating vulnerabilities.
Insight: The Trillion-Dollar Cost of Silence
During the session, we examined the staggering global impact of corruption and fraud. According to the UN Secretary-General, the annual cost of corruption to the world economy is roughly $3.6 trillion. Within the European Union alone, corruption is estimated to cost between EUR 179 billion and EUR 990 billion per year, including indirect effects such as lost tax revenue and decreased foreign investment.
For a business, these numbers are not just statistics – they represent a direct threat to the ecosystem in which they operate.
Lessons from the ACFE Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations
A central part of our discussion focused on the latest findings from the ACFE (Association of Certified Fraud Examiners). The 2024 data highlights critical vulnerabilities that every board member should monitor:
- The „control” gap: Over 50% of occupational frauds occur due to weaknesses in internal controls.
- The time factor: The average fraud scheme lasts 24 months before being detected, causing cumulative financial and reputational damage.
- The human element: 85% of perpetrators displayed at least one behavioral „red flag” before their actions were discovered. We discussed those red flags thoroughly.
Understanding the motivations
We explored the psychological and systemic drivers behind fraud, often summarized by the 10-80-10 Rule:
- 10% of people will never commit a crime.
- 10% will actively seek out ways to commit fraud.
- 80% may commit fraud if they are faced with sufficient pressure (such as excessive performance demands, personal debt, or family crises) and are presented with the opportunity.
Artha’s perspective: from marketing to management
This collaboration with ZM „ROPCZYCE” S.A. proves that forward-thinking companies are ready to move beyond greenwashing or socialwashing. By investing in the ethical literacy of their top management, ZM „ROPCZYCE” S.A. is reinforcing its foundations for the era of CSDDD and rigorous ESG expectations.
We would like to extend a special thank you to Natalia Szewc (ESG Coordinator & Compliance Officer) for her leadership in making this session a reality.
The Artha Expert Team:
- Jacek J. Wojciechowicz (Lead Expert)
- Irena Pichola (CEO)
- Karolina Daszyńska-Żygadło (Sustainability & Finance Expert)
- Karolina Długosz (Social ESG Specialist)