Although 44 countries have signed up for the Organization for Econounic Coopcration and Development (OECD) Anti-Bribery Convention to outlaw bribery and corruption, the problem is still present. Let us consider Greece, which the OECD censored for failing its promise to crack down on corruption. In Greece, the practice of political favoritism and passing "fakelaki," envelopes stuffed with money, in return for services is as prevalent today as it ever was. Since joining the EU, many scandals have been exposed in Greecc. Many consider corruption to be a cause for the country's 358 billion ( $397 billion) debt. From needless jobs to a refusal to give receipts, through tax evasion and then on to high-level bribery, it is estimated that Greek citizens spend hundreds of millions of euros on bribes each year. International companies looking toward Greece are aware that this is often the cost of doing business there. In August 2012. the German group Siemens AG, reached a 330 million ( $438 billion) settlement with the Grcek government over long-running allegations that Siemens AG used bribery to secure a raft of contracts for the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. In an earlier case, two managers from a different German company, an industrial firm Ferrostaal, had been convicted of paying bribes in Greece and ordered to pay fincs. Most recenlly, several Greck politicians are under investigation for allegedly recciving bribes over E50 million from Novartis, the Swiss drug maker, between 2006 and 201510 promote Novartis products. As of Junc 2019 , the investigations are still ongoing 26 DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 4-13. Discuss your reactions to the events mentioned in the case. Why do you think. bribcry takes place? Why do you think it needs to be outlawed? 4-14. It is important for managers to be aware of external environmental forces cspicially in global settings. Discuss this statement in light of the cvents described in the case. 4-15. What might the managers at Sienens AG have done differently? 4-16. Siemens AG is not the only company linked to bribery. Find at least three other examples and describe thcu bricfly. Rcsearch whcther other couutries outlaw the practice of bribing. (Hint: look at the OECD.)