The Reactive Trap: When Integrity Systems Struggle to See Risk Early

A recent paper, Building Trust Under Pressure: Strengthening Integrity Systems in Humanitarian Operations by Andrea De Tommaso and Duncan Smith, examines how corruption risks emerge within aid programs and how integrity systems respond.While focused on humanitarian organizations, many of its observations apply more broadly to integrity systems across sectors.

The paper is available here for download.

Most integrity systems begin with a straightforward goal: detect misconduct and hold individuals accountable.

Over time, however, the mechanisms used to achieve that goal begin to shape how the system functions. Because allegations, complaints, and whistleblower reports are the most visible signals of wrongdoing, integrity structures tend to organize themselves around responding to those signals.

This can gradually turn integrity systems into reactive systems primarily designed to investigate cases.

Common triggers that activate integrity functions include:

Allegations raised by staff or partners

Whistleblower disclosures

Complaints submitted through reporting channels

Findings from audits or internal reviews