It won

1
It wont happen here!The explosion in corruption
cases in a non-corrupt society the Norwegian
case.

• Paul Larsson
• Professor at the Norwegian Police University
  College in Oslo.

2
The snow-white image

• We dont have corruption in Norway!
• Very few, if any, corruption cases after WWII
  before the Oslo-scandal in 1989 /90.
• A non-corrupt police and customs service
• No tradition of systemic corruption
• Corruption is what goes on in Russia, Italia,
  Afrika and so on

3
Q Are we naive?A No, we are blind.

• The real problem has been
• lack of awareness of the nature of corruption
• Lack of clear conceptions
• We dont see ourselves as deviant
• Result we dont interpret shady business
  practices as corruption or crime

4
The not so white image

• Long traditions as a shipping nation.
• Corruption and bribery as a tradition and way of
  life.
• Tax deductabel until 1996.
• Norway as an international player
• The prohibition and smugling of liquer
• Norway as a oil nation
• No white hands.

5
The Oslo Scandal and beyond

• Employers at the departement of maintenance in
  Oslo received goods, services and cash for
  millions during the 1980s.
• More than 60 were investigated
• 29 convictions
• Loss of the town of Oslo ca 8,6 million kr.

6
The dam is bursting!

• Rise in corruption cases the last 5 years.
• Between 1990 and 2004 52 convicted convicted
  (this included the Oslo case).
• 2005 until june 2008 49 persons / corporations
  convicted (Korrupsjon i Norge).
• Big cases (Waterworks case, Murud case)

7
Explanations?

• A rise in corruption?
• Growth and improvements in laws and regulations -
  criminalization
• Media as watchdogs
• Raised awareness
• By business
• By politicians
• By the public

8
Anything but temptations

• Motivation - low pay, too much pressure
• Opportunity high turnover, trading position,
  responsibility to make contracts
• Control internal and external controls, formal
  (laws and rules) and informal (business and
  societal norms), regulation.