Internal audit plays a crucial role in maintaining the sustainability and longevity of a corporation. 

To understand this, we must first identify the main reasons why companies fail, drawing on the insights of Professor Jim Collins, widely recognized for his work in business management and leadership. Collins' research explores the reasons behind corporate failure, providing an in-depth analysis of the factors that lead once-successful organizations into decline. Based on his findings, here are the key factors:

1. Arrogance of Success

Prolonged success can lead to complacency, where leaders believe that their size guarantees continued success. This overconfidence often causes warning signs to be ignored, leaving the company vulnerable to market changes and new competitors.

2. Uncontrolled Growth

Pursuing growth without solid strategic planning is risky. When strategy is misaligned with the organization’s mission, efforts and capital are often misapplied to activities that do not create value within the company's purpose. This can lead businesses to exceed their risk appetite. Expanding without focus or entering markets without proper preparation compromises the company’s foundation, risking a loss of control over resources and processes.

 3. Loss of Focus on Core Competencies

As companies diversify, they often lose sight of what initially made them successful. Neglecting their core competencies can diminish their relevance in the market and weaken their competitive position.

4. Denial of Reality

Companies fail when they refuse to acknowledge real problems, choosing instead to remain in denial. Rather than addressing issues and adapting, they persist with ineffective practices, worsening their situation. This is particularly evident when there is no structured, integrated risk management process in place.

5. Erosion of Organizational Culture

The loss of a strong corporate culture can weaken internal cohesion and demotivate employees. A lack of alignment between the company's mission, culture, and organizational values is often an early warning of imminent decline.

6. Lack of Innovation

Companies that do not innovate become stuck in the past, while more agile competitors take their place. The lack of innovation is not limited to products but also extends to how the company operates and responds to change. In an era of disruptive innovation, the pace of change can outstrip a corporation's ability to adapt, creating a significant gap that erodes competitiveness.

The Role of Internal Audit

In this context, internal audit plays a vital role in preventing corporate decline. Rather than focusing solely on identifying faults or assigning blame, its primary function is to pinpoint opportunities for improvement in governance, risk management, and internal controls. To achieve this, auditors must shift their mindset from reactive activities, such as merely finding errors, to a proactive approach that looks toward the future and seeks opportunities for enhanced performance.

Internal audit helps the company maintain focus on its core competencies, assess growth strategies, and promote innovation with security, ensuring that the organization avoids pitfalls like arrogance or negligence.

By continuously, independently, and impartially monitoring operations and strategic decisions, internal audit provides valuable insights to management, helping them confront reality and take corrective actions before problems escalate. In this way, internal audit becomes a key ally in ensuring the sustainability and longevity of the organization.

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