Research Article Volume 13 Issue 2
National University of Engineering
Correspondence: Rubén Gómez Sánchez Soto, Senior lecturer, Managing Director Engineering and Technological Services SAC, National University of Engineering, Peru
Received: May 12, 2025 | Published: July 11, 2025
Citation: Soto RGS. Risks and internal control: keys to state public value in Peru. Forensic Res Criminol Int J. 2025;13(2):107-117. DOI: 10.15406/frcij.2025.13.00444
The article "Risks and Internal Control: Keys to State Public Value in Peru" examines the importance of risk management and internal control in Peruvian public entities to strengthen the creation of public value. It emphasizes Law 28716 on Internal Control as a key legal framework that establishes the mandatory implementation of internal control systems in public institutions. These systems allow for the identification, evaluation, and mitigation of risks that could affect the fulfillment of institutional objectives, optimizing decision-making and the efficient use of resources. It also highlights the role of performance audits, conducted by the Comptroller General's Office, as fundamental tools for evaluating the efficiency, transparency, and accountability of public management, ensuring that state resources are used economically, efficiently, and effectively. The article defines public value as citizens' perceptions of the quality and timeliness of state services and applies this concept to five Peruvian ministries (MININTER, MINSA, MINEDU, MTC, and MVCS), identifying the expected public value propositions for each. The results of a survey of 50 professionals reveal widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of public services, management efficiency, transparency, and the institutions' capacity to generate social impact. Respondents perceive those public policies are not adequately addressing citizen needs or generating positive changes in key areas such as education, health, and employment.
A conceptual model for improving public value is proposed, based on three pillars: human talent, risk management, and performance audits. This model seeks to strengthen public institutions, improve the efficient use of resources, and generate a positive impact on society. The article concludes that risk management and performance audits are fundamental to improving the efficiency and transparency of public management, which in turn increases public value and social well-being. Furthermore, the importance of investing in the development of human talent in the public sector is highlighted, as a trained and motivated team is essential for designing and implementing effective public policies. Finally, risk management is linked to the national objectives of the National Strategic Development Plan to 2050, emphasizing that an efficient and transparent public administration is crucial for achieving goals such as social well-being, environmental protection, economic growth, and the consolidation of democracy.
Keywords: risk management, public value, public administration, governance, performance auditing
The efficient and transparent management of public entities is a fundamental pillar for the sustainable development and social welfare of any nation. In the Peruvian context, Law 28716 on Internal Control establishes a crucial legal framework for the implementation of internal control systems to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks that may compromise the fulfillment of institutional objectives. These systems not only seek to prevent fraud and acts of corruption, but also to optimize decision making and the efficient use of available resources, which is essential to improve the quality of public services and generate public value.
Public value, understood as the citizen's perception of the quality and timeliness of the services provided by the State, has become a key indicator to measure the success of public policies and the effectiveness of institutions. In this sense, performance audits, conducted by the Office of the Comptroller General of the Republic, emerge as fundamental tools to evaluate the management of public entities, ensuring that State resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively, and that public services respond adequately to the needs of citizens.
The purpose of this article is to analyze the importance of risk management and performance audits in the creation of public value in Peruvian public entities. Through a theoretical-practical approach, it explores the legal and conceptual bases that support these processes, presents concrete examples of their application in various ministries, and analyzes the results of a survey that reveals citizen perception of the quality of public services. Finally, a conceptual model is proposed to improve public value, based on the strengthening of human talent, risk management and performance audits, in order to contribute to the achievement of the national objectives established in the Strategic Plan for National Development to 2050.1
Definition of public value
Table 1 presents various definitions of public value, according to the citations given in each case.
Source |
Definition of public value |
According to ILPES |
Public value is the citizen's perception of the quality and timeliness of government services, an iis a key factor in building fairer and more sustainable societies. |
According to Rojas12 |
The creation of "public value" is determined by strategies based on the goals and objectives set by management to maximize the wealth of the population. |
According to Rojas12 |
At the state level, public value is represented by the capacity of state subjects to produce goods and services that have a beneficial effect on society. |
According to Civil Service |
The concept of public value refers to the State through the quality of the services it provides to citizens, the rules it administers for the welfare of society as a whole and the development of public policies aimed at satisfying the needs of citizens (people). |
According to Civil Service |
The state must always strive to fully satisfy its citizens through good governance policies such as transparency, accountability and timely and efficient citizen services. Therefore, an effective public administration must be coordinated and tailored to achieve the country's ambitious goals. It is very important that organizations understand their target audiences and correctly classify and identify them. This interaction with stakeholders is essential because their participation reveals the real interests, desires and needs of the target groups that affect public policies. |
According to Zapata |
The social responsibility of the state in this context is related to the creation of public value, thus increasing the productivity (profitability) of public entities and improving the welfare of the population (results). Furthermore, depending on the social problem to be solved, the country must be innovative, understand its citizens and take into account their tastes and preferences when adopting goods or services. |
Table 1 Definition of public value under different sources
Performance audits
According to Article 82 of the Constitution establishes that the Comptroller General's Office, as the highest body of the National Control System, conducts performance audits to evaluate the management of public entities. These audits verify that State resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively, in compliance with legal and regulatory norms. Performance auditing, according to, is a key tool used by the Comptroller General's Office to promote transparency and accountability in public management. By evaluating the performance of entities, it contributes to strengthening the rule of law and improving the quality of services provided. For its part, highlights that performance auditing aims to ensure that public services are of quality and respond adequately to the needs of citizens. This tool allows identifying areas for improvement that have a positive impact on people's lives, strengthening confidence in public institutions. The main purpose of the performance audit, according to, is to ensure that public services generate a positive impact on society, evaluating their quality and relevance, and guiding actions that improve citizen satisfaction.
Figure 1 summarizes the objectives of performance audits in order to provide a better understanding of their relevance. The key points highlighted in relation to these objectives are:
Risk management - internal control law for state entities
The efficient and transparent management of public entities is essential for the proper functioning of a State. Within this framework, Law 28716, Law on Internal Control of State Entities, marks a significant advance towards a more effective and accountable public administration. This law provides a firm legal basis for implementing internal control systems that facilitate the identification, evaluation and mitigation of risks that may compromise the fulfillment of institutional objectives.
According to Article 3(b) of Law 28716, risk assessment is a key tool for public entities. By identifying threats and vulnerabilities in advance, these institutions can implement preventive and corrective measures to protect their assets, ensure the reliability of information and comply with their legal responsibilities. The benefits of a sound risk assessment are broad: it improves decision making, optimizes the use of resources, reduces exposure to fraud and corruption, and strengthens public confidence in public institutions. This, in turn, helps entities to generate public value.
According to Law 28716, Article 1 is transcribed below:
Article 1- Object of the Law
The purpose of this Law is to establish the rules to regulate the preparation, approval, implementation, operation, improvement and evaluation of internal control in State entities, in order to safeguard and strengthen the administrative and operational systems with actions and activities of prior, simultaneous and subsequent control, against improper or corrupt acts and practices, tending to the due and transparent achievement of the institutional purposes, objectives and goals.
Similarly, according to the following is a partial transcription of Article 3
Article 3- Internal control system
The internal control system is the set of measures and procedures that ensure that a public entity complies with its objectives. It includes from rules and policies to the attitude of the personnel. Its fundamental pillars are:
According to Law 28716 and Figure 2, the internal control system (ICS) incorporates a risk assessment process that encompasses two dimensions:
As an application example, the case of the Ministry of the Interior (MININTER) will be analyzed; therefore, Figure 3 shows its vision and mission, according to which the risks that would affect the achievement of its mission (public value) and the risks that would affect the fulfillment of its operational processes would be identified.
According to, MININTER's mission:
To protect and promote a safe and stable environment where citizens can exercise their rights and freedoms without restrictions, restoring public order when necessary.
Therefore, according to the detail in Figure 3, the following will be required:
This brief example makes evident the causal relationships between the two key concepts of risk and public value that would be tested through performance audits.
Applications of the definition of public value to
According to the definitions developed in Table 1 and the review of the missions of each of the five (05) ministries, Table 2 presents the public value propositions of each entity.
N° |
Ministry |
Mission |
Public value proposition |
1 |
MININTER, according to |
To protect and guarantee the free exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms, maintain and reestablish the democratic internal order, public order and internal security of the country's citizens within a framework of trust, tranquility and social peace. |
· Free exercise of fundamental rights and freedoms, · Democratic internal order, · Public order and internal security of all citizens of the country |
2 |
MINSA, according to |
The Ministry of Health has the mission of protecting personal dignity, promoting health, preventing diseases and ensuring comprehensive health care for all the inhabitants of the country; proposing and conducting health policy guidelines in consultation with all public sectors and social actors. The person is the center of our mission, to which we dedicate ourselves with respect for the life and fundamental rights of all Peruvians, from before birth and respecting the natural course of their lives, contributing to the great national task of achieving the development of all our citizens. We, the workers of the Health Sector, are agents of change in constant improvement to achieve the maximum wellbeing of the people. |
· Personal dignity, promoting health, preventing illnesses and guaranteeing comprehensive health care for all the country's inhabitants, · Health policies in consultation with all public sectors and social stakeholders · Respect for life and the fundamental rights of all Peruvians, from before birth and respecting the natural course of their lives, · Development of all our citizens |
3 |
MINEDU, according to |
Guarantee rights, ensure quality educational services and promote sports opportunities for the population so that everyone can reach their potential and contribute to development in a decentralized, democratic, transparent and results-based manner, based on equity and intercultural approaches. |
· Quality educational services, · Sporting opportunities for all to reach their potential · To be part of development in a decentralized, democratic and transparent manner, with equity and intercultural approaches. |
4 |
MTC, according to |
Ensure the provision of transportation and communications infrastructure and services to the entire population, in a safe, sustainable, inclusive and competitive manner, aimed at national integration and development. |
· Transportation and communications infrastructure and services for the entire population, in a safe, sustainable, inclusive and competitive manner, aimed at national integration and development. |
5 |
MVCS, according to |
To regulate, articulate and promote the provision of services in housing, construction, drinking water, sanitation and urban development; as well as to elaborate, implement and supervise national policies in favor of the population and their livelihoods in an accessible, sustainable and quality manner. |
· Ensure housing, construction, potable water, sanitation and urban development services; · National policies in favor of the population and their livelihoods in an accessible, sustainable and quality manner. |
Table 2 Five (05) Ministries, their mission and expected public value proposition
Information resulting from public value survey
A survey of 50 professionals was conducted and the results are shown in Figures 4–10 and Tables 3–8 shows the survey instrument, dimensions and items.
Dimension 1: Quality of public service |
||
Question 1: · 69% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public services meet their needs. · Only 14% agree or strongly agree, indicating a generalized negative perception. |
Question 2: · 54% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public entities respond effectively to requests. · Only 1% agree, suggesting significant dissatisfaction with the responsiveness of the entities.
|
Question 3: · 65% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that the goods and services provided by the State meet quality standards. · Only 14% agree or strongly agree, reflecting a negative perception of the quality of public goods and services. |
Conclusions of Dimension 1: · There is widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of public services, the responsiveness of the entities and the quality standards of the goods and services provided by the State. · Most citizens do not perceive that their needs are being adequately addressed.
|
Table 3 Results and conclusions dimension 1 quality of public services
Dimension 2: Management efficiency and effectiveness |
||
Question 1: · 69% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that the government uses public resources efficiently to generate benefits for society. · Only 14% agree or strongly agree, indicating a negative perception of the use of resources.
|
Question 2: · 54% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public institutions demonstrate efficient administrative capacity to implement their objectives. · Only 1% agree, reflecting a lack of confidence in administrative management.
|
Question 3: · 65% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that current public management is creating value in terms of meeting basic needs and general welfare. · Only 14% agree or strongly agree, suggesting a negative perception of the impact of public management. |
Conclusions of Dimension 2: · There is a generalized negative perception of the efficiency and effectiveness of public management. · Citizens do not perceive that the government is using resources efficiently or that public institutions are generating value for society.
|
Table 4 Results and conclusions dimension 2 management efficiency and effectiveness
Dimension 3: Results and social impact |
||
Question 1: · 67% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that government policies and programs are achieving positive results for society. · Only 16% agree or strongly agree, indicating a negative perception. |
Question 2: · 75% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the State is generating positive changes in important social variables (such as education, health, employment). · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction. |
Question 3: · 54% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public interventions effectively contribute to the country's sustainable development. · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, suggesting a negative perception of the impact of public policies. |
Conclusions of Dimension 3: · Citizens do not perceive that public policies are generating positive results or significant changes in key social areas. · There is a lack of confidence in the capacity of the State to contribute to sustainable development.
|
Table 5 Results and conclusions dimension 3 results and social impact
Dimension 4: Transparency and accountability |
|
Question 1: · 52% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public institutions are transparent in their management and are adequately accountable. · Only 13% agree, reflecting a lack of confidence in transparency. |
Question 2: · 51% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the government effectively communicates to citizens about the degree of effectiveness achieved in the public value generated. · Only 14% agree or strongly agree, indicating a negative perception of government communication. |
Conclusions of Dimension 4: · Citizens do not perceive public institutions to be transparent, nor do they perceive the government to effectively communicate the results of its management. · There is a lack of trust in transparency and accountability. |
Table 6 Results and conclusions dimension 4 transparency and accountability
Dimension 5: Satisfaction of citizen needs |
|
Question 1: · 51% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public policies address their priority needs. · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, indicating widespread dissatisfaction.
|
Question 2: · 54% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that public policies address the most pressing social problems. · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, reflecting a negative perception of the effectiveness of the policies.
|
Conclusions of Dimension 5: · Citizens do not perceive that public policies are meeting their needs or addressing the most urgent social problems. · There is widespread dissatisfaction with the effectiveness of public policies.
|
Table 7 Results and conclusions dimension 5 satisfaction of citizens' needs
Dimension 6: Legitimacy and public trust |
|
Question 1: · 70% of respondents disagree or strongly disagree that the regulations implemented by the State contribute to the general welfare of the population. · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, indicating a negative perception. |
Question 2: · 54% of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that the management of public entities reinforces legitimacy and trust in state institutions. · Only 2% agree or strongly agree, reflecting a lack of trust in institutions. |
Conclusions of Dimension 6: · Citizens do not perceive that state regulations contribute to the general welfare or that public management reinforces trust in institutions. · There is a crisis of legitimacy and confidence in public institutions.
|
Table 8 Results and conclusions dimension 6 legitimacy and public trust
The overall conclusions of the survey are as follows:
In order to provide a visual element, Figure 11 presents the results to the questions of all the dimensions. Note that the categories "Strongly disagree" and "Disagree" represent the highest results by far.
Proposed model resulting from the research work
According to the topics developed in this research work, the following key issues have been addressed:
The survey conducted shows very critical results in terms of the objective of this research: "public value"; therefore, the model to improve public value will be proposed.
Table 9 presents concepts related to the need to improve public value in Peru, and their impact on the future development of the nation. There are two key concepts that have been considered in Table 9 Social Progress Index and Future Nation.
N |
Model components |
Conceptual development and synergistic effect |
Integration of variables and model support |
1 |
Human talent |
According to, human talent is the sum of competencies and skills of a person. Generally, these characteristics are those that allow organizational growth and added value at work. |
's Strategic Plan for National Development outlines an ambitious path towards a more prosperous and equitable Peru. To achieve this goal, the country must focus on improving the well-being of its population, protecting the environment and strengthening democratic institutions. In this context, the Social Progress Index (SPI) stands as a fundamental indicator to measure progress towards these goals. The IPS evaluates the capacity of a society to satisfy the basic needs of its inhabitants, provide them with opportunities and allow them to reach their maximum potential. To increase this index and generate greater public value, it is essential to strengthen human talent in public institutions. A trained and motivated work team is essential to design and implement effective public policies that improve the quality of life of the population. Sound risk management is also crucial to ensure the sustainability of the progress achieved. By identifying and mitigating risks that may affect the achievement of objectives, institutions can ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Complementarily, performance audits play a key role in promoting transparency and accountability. By periodically evaluating the management of institutions, audits can identify areas for improvement and ensure that resources are directed to national priorities. In summary, to achieve the objectives of the PEDN 2050 and improve the IPS, it is necessary to establish a synergy between human talent, risk management and performance audits. Skilled human talent, proactive risk management and rigorous audits are the pillars on which to build a modern and efficient State, capable of generating public value and improving the quality of life of all its citizens. |
2 |
Risk management |
Consists of the identification and management of all adverse effects that may compromise the achievement of institutional objectives. |
|
3 |
Performance audits |
It allows verifying that state resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively, complying with legal and regulatory norms. Performance auditing, according to, is a key tool used by the Comptroller General's Office to promote transparency and accountability in public management ( ). |
|
4 |
Social Progress Index (SPI) definition and dimensions |
According to Social progress measures how well a society meets the basic needs of its inhabitants, provides them with opportunities to improve their lives and enables them to reach their full potential. The IPS assesses this progress through three dimensions. The dimensions of the social progress index (SPI) are: Basic needs, including nutrition and basic health care, water and sanitation, housing, personal safety, etc. Fundamentals of well-being, access to basic knowledge, access to information and communications, health and well-being, sustainability of the ecosystem. Opportunities, personal rights, personal freedom and freedom of choice, tolerance and respect, access to higher education |
|
5 |
Public value |
According to, at the state level, public value is represented by the capacity of state subjects to produce goods and services that have a beneficial effect on society. |
|
6 |
Future Nation |
According to the country seeks to ensure the well-being of the entire population, protect the environment, boost the economy and strengthen democracy. To achieve this, public institutions must generate the public value that citizens demand. |
Table 9 Conceptual development of the proposed applicable Model
As a contribution of the present work and considering the dramatic results of the survey, the proposed model is presented in Figure 12. Figure 12 shows the definitions that would contribute to improve the Social Progress Index (SPI) and its impact on the future nation, which would strengthen the role of public entities in the development of the Nation through the continuous improvement of public value.
Human talent
The study by reveals that investing in employee welfare and development in the public sector not only increases efficiency, but also helps keep the best professionals in their positions. However, they caution that it is important to consider diversity and the ability to adapt to change, highlight the importance of human talent in the public sector. Their findings show that investing in people and in creating a good working environment not only improves performance, but also contributes to making public organizations more sustainable over time.
Future nation
According to, the national strategic development plan for 2050 established four national objectives:
Public structures will thus contribute to the achievement of the challenges contained in each national objective, as long as they are capable of creating the public value expected by Peruvian society.
Public value, corruption and citizen insecurity
Public structures will contribute to the achievement of the challenges contained in each national objective, as long as they are capable of creating the public value expected by Peruvian society.
According to, Figure 13 presents the behavior of corruption and citizen insecurity, according to the years from 2010 to 2020. The behavior of insecurity and corruption are the result of the resulting management of public entities and are corroborated by the results of the survey.
As can be seen, the behavior of insecurity and corruption would represent the inefficient management of MININTER in terms of its inadequate public value. See performance in Figure 13.
The study highlights the importance of efficient and transparent management in public entities, emphasizing Law 28716 on Internal Control as a key legal framework for implementing control systems that facilitate the identification, evaluation and mitigation of risks. These systems are essential to improve the Social Progress Index and generate public value, understood as the citizens' perception of the quality and timeliness of state services. Performance audits, conducted by the Comptroller General's Office, are fundamental instruments for evaluating and optimizing public management. These audits ensure that resources are used economically, efficiently and effectively, promoting transparency and accountability. By evaluating the performance of the entities, we contribute to strengthening the rule of law and improving the quality of the services provided.
The survey shows critical results in several dimensions related to public value. The majority of respondents disagreed that public services meet their needs, reflecting a generalized dissatisfaction with the quality of services and the responsiveness of public entities. In addition, there is a negative perception of the efficiency and effectiveness of public management, as well as the results and social impact of public policies. In terms of transparency and accountability, citizens do not perceive that public institutions are transparent or that the government effectively communicates the results of its management. This reflects a lack of trust in transparency and accountability. The survey also shows that public policies are not meeting citizens' priority needs or addressing the most urgent social problems.
Finally, the article proposes a model that integrates risk management, performance audits and human talent to improve public value. This approach seeks to strengthen public institutions and generate a lasting and positive impact on society, contributing to the achievement of the national objectives defined in the Strategic Plan for National Development to 2050. In summary, the results of the article highlight the need for significant reforms in public management to improve the quality of services, transparency and citizen trust, which in turn will contribute to increasing public value and improving social welfare in Peru.
This article has delved into the relevance of risk management and performance audits as essential tools for the creation of public value in public entities. The Internal Control Law 28716 provides a fundamental legal framework that guides institutions in the implementation of robust internal control systems. These systems not only allow to identify, evaluate and mitigate risks effectively, but are also crucial to optimize decision making and the efficient use of public resources. This proactive risk management is a key component for improving the Social Progress Index (IPS), as it contributes to a more transparent and efficient administration, which translates into a better citizen perception of the quality and timeliness of the services provided by the State. In addition, performance audits, conducted by the Comptroller General's Office, play a fundamental role in evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies. These audits not only ensure that resources are used optimally, but also identify areas for improvement that can have a positive impact on the quality of public services and citizen satisfaction. Together, risk management and performance audits strengthen trust in public institutions and promote a more transparent and results-oriented state. In summary, the implementation of internal control systems and performance audits are not only technical tools, but also strategic pillars for the creation of public value. These practices not only improve the efficiency and transparency of public management, but also contribute to the social welfare and sustainable development of the country, in line with the national objectives established in the Strategic Plan for National Development to 2050.1–13
The study concludes that the implementation of internal control systems and performance audits are fundamental to improve public management and the creation of public value in Peruvian state entities. Law 28716 on Internal Control provides a solid legal framework that allows institutions to effectively identify, evaluate and mitigate risks, which not only optimizes the use of public resources, but also strengthens transparency and accountability. These practices are essential to prevent fraud and corruption and to ensure that public services meet the needs of citizens.
Performance audits, conducted by the Comptroller General's Office, emerge as key tools to evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies. These audits not only verify the proper use of resources, but also identify areas for improvement that have a positive impact on the quality of services and citizen satisfaction. The combination of proactive risk management and rigorous audits contributes to strengthening trust in public institutions and improving the Social Progress Index (SPI), which translates into greater well-being for the population. In addition, the results of the survey conducted reveal widespread dissatisfaction with the quality of public services, management efficiency and transparency of institutions. This underscores the need to strengthen human talent in the public sector, since a trained and motivated team is essential to design and implement effective public policies that respond to the real needs of citizens.
In conclusion, risk management and performance audits are not only technical tools, but also strategic tools for the creation of public value. Their effective implementation allows for a more efficient, transparent and results-oriented administration, which contributes to the achievement of the national objectives established in the Strategic Plan for National Development to 2050.1 To achieve these goals, it is crucial to continue strengthening institutional capacities, promoting transparency and fostering a culture of accountability in public entities. This is the only way to generate a lasting and positive impact on Peruvian society, improving the quality of life of all its citizens.
None.
The author declares there is no conflict of interest.
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