Promoting corporate intelligence in Italy to improve stability in the Middle East

Abstract

Most national and international legislative instruments impose a duty to conduct appropriate due diligence when doing business, in order to hold each company accountable for the malicious activities of its partners. This project’s main argument is that formal due diligence is not enough when it comes to preventing corrupt business behavior, particularly when dealing with highly corrupt environments. Starting with an analysis of the Italian legislative efforts, this project demonstrates how the promotion of corporate intelligence into standard business practice could fill the gaps left by due diligence. Emphasis is placed upon the adoption of corporate intelligence among SMEs, given their being the proven stabilizers of society. This project presents a number of recommendations to the Italian government, the law enforcement agencies and corporate intelligence firms of how to promote corporate intelligence and, therefore, security in the Middle East.