The Role of Information Technology Innovation in Combating Corruption in SMEs in Developing Countries: A Critical Literature Review

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to examine the literature on the impact of information technology innovations in combatting corruption in small and medium enterprises in developing countries. This article employed a systematic literature review from a multidisciplinary style to provide research precision and reliability. Corruption affects the performance of the business by stifling their entrepreneurial and innovative initiatives. Small businesses should encourage more ethical conduct by motivating employees to report corruption in their workplaces. However, the finding of this article shows that many employees fear to report corruption due to weak whistleblowing protection policies. In addition, using information technology in whistleblowing, although effective, the results indicate that their usage is limited due to fear of the unknown. The success of anticorruption interventions strategies depends on their relevance to local environmental, cultural, and technical experience. The government should enhance public awareness of the protection of whistleblowers by developing a multiagency framework for streamlining digital whistleblowing channels in public and private enterprises. Policymakers in engineering management should bridge the gap between anticorruption laws enforcement and practical implementation to eradicate corruption. This article contributes to the understanding of whistleblowing as a strategy to fight corruption and its effect on the innovation of small and medium enterprises.