Building on the Trust of Management: Overcoming the Paradoxes of Principles Based Regulation

Abstract

This paper illustrates how trust in management can be consolidated through the order and mode of application of enforcement measures (negotiating and punitive enforcement measures) which are employed in facilitating and maximising compliance with rules. “Whilst negotiating strategies are introduced initially to develop trust between the regulator and the regulated, resort is made to more punitive strategies where an absence of trust in the compliance activity has been confirmed.”

In considering techniques which could be introduced to maximise compliance with rules, standards and principles, this paper not only highlights why responsive and negotiating strategies are more effective than deterrence based strategies in facilitating compliance with rules and principles, but also the importance of introducing some element of fairness and high degree of accountability into the decision making process. Whilst fairness is considered to be of greater significance to decisions founded on principles and discretion, accountability is a benefit and feature which is usually attributed to “bright lines rules”. Even though it is contended that issues related to legitimacy and accountability could still arise with group decisions, this paper seeks to demonstrate that some degree of accountability (along with the fairness attributed to group decisions) could be fostered through corporate and group decision making. Furthermore, the paper highlights how effective communication can be achieved, how such communication – as well as an effective system of communication, is vital to determining the point at which there should be a departure from the systematic application of rules.

Keywords: communication, compliance, principles, enforcement, regulation, trust