Abstract:

In Portugal, combating corruption has been a government priority over the past decades, reflecting the recognition of the devastating impact this practice has on the integrity of institutions and socio-economic cohesion.

The University of Porto, one of Portugal's leading institutions of higher education, also faces corruption risks in various areas. The implementation of a corruption risk management plan becomes, therefore, a crucial task for the University of Porto. This plan not only aims to protect the resources and reputation of the University but also to ensure its compliance with the principles and objectives of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.

It is imperative that the University adopts a proactive and transparent approach to address these challenges, promoting a culture of integrity and accountability throughout the academic community.

It is essential to recognize that combating corruption is a shared responsibility that requires the collaboration of all members of the academic community. Active involvement of students, faculty, staff, and institutional leaders is essential to create an environment where corruption is intolerable and promptly identified and addressed.

The main objective of this research is to analyze the perception of University of Porto employees regarding the corruption risk management plan and related offenses. The aim is to identify possible gaps in the implementation of this plan and propose suggestions for its improvement. The interest in this research topic arises from the need to understand not only the technical and procedural aspects of the risk management plan but also how University of Porto employees perceive and interact with these measures.

The methodology adopted in this study involved a comprehensive literature review, followed by an empirical study that included the administration of questionnaires to University of Porto employees. The results revealed limited knowledge of the corruption risk management plan among employees, despite its dissemination through institutional channels. Many expressed interest in receiving more training on corruption risk prevention.

This study highlights the importance of a proactive approach to corruption risk management in the institution and suggests that investing in public employees' training is an effective strategy to promote more ethical and transparent management. Corruption not only compromises the integrity of institutions but also perpetuates socio-economic inequalities and undermines public trust in fundamental values of justice and ethics. In the context of the University of Porto, effective management of corruption risks and associated offenses is crucial to ensure transparency and integrity in all its activities. In this way, this study not only seeks to understand employees' perception of the risk management plan but also emphasizes the importance of proactive measures to prevent and combat corruption within the institution. By analyzing employees' perspectives, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamics of corruption risks within the University of Porto. Corruption is not only a problem exclusive to public institutions but can also manifest itself in the private sector. Therefore, the lessons learned from this study on corruption risk management at the University of Porto may be applicable in other organizational contexts, contributing to the construction of a fairer and more transparent society as a whole.

Keywords:

Corruption, risk management plan, internal control, risk management and internal audit.