THE SOCIAL-REPUTATIONAL MISSION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS AND NATO-STANDARD PROCUREMENT AUDIT IN ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITY

Authors

  • Karina Nazarova Author
  • Tetiana Kopotiienko Author
  • Bohdana Shyrchenko Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.60022/3(4)-37S

Keywords:

anti-corruption financial investigations, defence procurement audit, NATO standards, national security, social-reputational mission, INTOSAI, Euro-Atlantic integration

Abstract

The article examines the social-reputational role of anti-corruption financial investigations and NATO-standard procurement audit as key instruments for ensuring national security. The theoretical and methodological foundations of the relationship between anti-corruption integrity, financial control of defence expenditure, and the strategic resilience of the state are substantiated. A comparative analysis of anti-corruption procurement audit systems in Ukraine and leading NATO member states (the United States, the United Kingdom, Poland, Estonia, and Lithuania) is conducted. The article presents original statistical data on corruption losses in defence procurement across selected countries and the scope of anti-corruption investigations. The authors propose an original five-dimensional Social-Reputational Defence Audit Framework (SRDAF), which constitutes the primary scientific contribution of the study. It is demonstrated that an effective anti-corruption audit system in defence procurement not only safeguards public resources but also builds societal trust in security institutions and strengthens the international reputation of the state as a credible NATO partner. The article concludes with policy recommendations for accelerating Ukraine’s compliance with NATO procurement audit standards.

References

1. Rose-Ackerman, S., & Palifka, B. J. (2016). Corruption and Government: Causes, Consequences, and Reform (2nd ed.). Cambridge University Press. URL: https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139962933

2. Transparency International. (2023). Government Defence Integrity Index. Berlin: Transparency International. URL: https://ti-defence.org/gdi/

3. Garnett, H. (2021). Comparative Audit of Defence Procurement in NATO Member States. London: RUSI. URL: https://www.rusi.org/

4. Tiebu, Ch. (2020). Value for Money in Defence Acquisitions. Washington: RAND. URL: https://www.rand.org/

5. Hetman, O. (2022). Reformuvannia systemy oboronnykh zakupivel Ukrainy v umovakh yevroatlantychnoi intehratsii [Reforming Ukraine’s defence procurement system in the context of Euro-Atlantic integration]. Pravo ta derzhavne upravlinnia, (3), 10–19. URL: http://www.irbis-nbuv.gov.ua/

6. Zadorozhnia, N. (2023). Vprovadzhennia standartiv NATO u vitchyznianu systemu zakupivel [Implementing NATO standards into the domestic procurement system]. Publichne upravlinnia ta administruvannia, (1), 5–16. URL: http://www.irbis-nbuv.gov.ua/

7. Pikhotskyi, O. (2023). Audyt efektyvnosti vykorystannia koshtiv oboronnoho biudzhetu [Performance audit of defence budget utilisation]. Ekonomichnyi chasopys, (1), 50–58. URL: http://www.irbis-nbuv.gov.ua/

8. INTOSAI. (2017). ISSAI 5300: Auditing Defence Activities. Vienna: INTOSAI. URL: https://www.issai.org/

9. Bovens, M. (2007). Analysing and Assessing Accountability: A Conceptual Framework. European Law Journal, 13(4), 447–468. URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0386.2007.00378.x

10. Transparency International. (2024). Corruption Perceptions Index 2023. Berlin: Transparency International. URL: https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2023

11. Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). (2024). SIPRI Military Expenditure Database. Stockholm: SIPRI. URL: https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex

12. DCAA. (2023). Annual Report to Congress 2022. Fort Belvoir: Defense Contract Audit Agency. URL: https://www.dcaa.mil/

13. NATO Support and Procurement Agency. (2022). NSPA Financial Regulations. Capellen: NSPA. URL: https://www.nspa.nato.int/

14. Nazarova, K., Hordopolov, V., & Shyrchenko, B. (2025). Audyt zakupivel za standartamy NATO. URL: https://journals.csr.com.ua/index.php/sustainability/uk/article/view/451/508

15. Law of Ukraine ‘On Defence Procurement’ No. 808-IX of 17 July 2020. Vidomosti Verkhovnoi Rady Ukrainy, (45), Art. 393. URL: https://zakon.rada.gov.ua/laws/show/808-20

16. Accounting Chamber of Ukraine. (2024). Annual Report 2023. Kyiv: Accounting Chamber of Ukraine. URL: https://rp.gov.ua/

17. NATO. (2003). AC/4-D(2003)0001: Directive on Contract Management and Audit. Brussels: NATO HQ. URL: https://www.nato.int/

18. Razumkov Centre. (2024). Public Trust in State Institutions: Sociological Survey Results. Kyiv: Razumkov Centre. URL: https://razumkov.org.ua/

19. National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU). (2025). 370 New Investigations, 115 Suspects, 62 Convictions: Results of NABU and SAPO in the First Half of 2025. Available at: https://nabu.gov.ua/

20. Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA). (2025). Report to Congress on FY 2024 Activities. Fort Belvoir: DCAA. Available at: https://www.dcaa.mil/

21. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). (2025). The Impact of the ProZorro Procurement System on the Ukrainian Economy. London: EBRD. URL: https://www.ebrd.com/

22. Transparency International Ukraine (DOZORRO). (2025). Vehicle Procurement through ProZorro in 2024: Cars and Pickups for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. URL: https://ti-ukraine.org/

Downloads

Published

2026-04-15

How to Cite

Nazarova, K., Kopotiienko, T., & Shyrchenko, B. (2026). THE SOCIAL-REPUTATIONAL MISSION OF ANTI-CORRUPTION FINANCIAL INVESTIGATIONS AND NATO-STANDARD PROCUREMENT AUDIT IN ENSURING NATIONAL SECURITY. Current Problems of Sustainable Development, 3(4), 304-311. https://doi.org/10.60022/3(4)-37S