) in addition, the number of bribe requests can be taken as a proxy for the external communication of Conoco's ethical standards. Internally, the quality of the competition in future years can be used as an indicator of success. As well, the number of incidents reported where Conoco employees have exhibited questionable ethics is another measure that can be used to evaluate the success of this program. Also, calls to ethical hotlines can be another measure (Ruthford, 2006). It is unreasonable, however, in a company the size of Conoco, to expect a complete elimination of unethical practices. A significant decline, however, is not unreasonable. This has been achieved on a smaller scale by some of the managers who have been nominated for this first year.

6) I believe that the committee should limit the award to one winner. If multiple winners are allowed, other potential winners could feel slightly in years where there is only one winner. By setting the standard high and keeping it there, ethical behavior will be encouraged throughout the organization.

I believe that the company's response to a lack of nominees...

It would be poor optics not to have a competition. However, this would also be an indication that the program is not sufficiently visible, or that there is a lack of pride in the company's ethical culture. A full-scale review of ethics within Conoco would likely follow. I believe that this would be an adequate response. The company recognizes the value of the competition as a means of international communication, and would seek to repair the communication of ethics should the competition fall into irrelevance.
Works Cited:

No author. (2000). Nigeria tops corruption chart. BBC. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/923570.stm

Barnett, T. (2003). Ethics code awareness, perceived ethical values and organizational commitment. Journal of Personal Selling & Sales Management. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.allbusiness.com/sales/759402-1.html

Ruthford, C. (2006). Why measure ethical effectiveness. Ethics Resource Center. Retrieved November 2, 2009 from http://www.ethics.org/resource/why-measure-ethical-effectiveness