Does Investment in ICT Curb or Create More Corruption? A Cross-Country Analysis

Abstract

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has been increasingly advocated as a solution to deal with a corruption problem. However, whether these investments can reduce or lead to more corruption is still unanswered. In this study, we show that the country’s investment in ICT can have both negative and positive effect on corruption. Although the increase in ICT investment provides technology infrastructures that can effectively monitor and control corruption, more investment itself can also provide an opportunity for corruption to occur.