Institutional Corruption Research Articles

Understanding tax payment behaviour in the West African Economic and Monetary Union: The role of perceived detection capacity and honesty

AbstractThe analysis of the key factors influencing the perception of tax compliance in WAEMU countries is the primary goal of this study. In particular, the study examines how intrinsic factors, such as honesty and the perception of the tax administration's capacity to detect fraud, affect perceptions of tax compliance in the WAEMU. Ordered probit regression was used to examine Afrobarometer data. According to the findings, honest citizens are more likely to be compliant, whereas a lack of good detection skills is negatively correlated with the perception of tax compliance. The results also reveal cross‐country differences driven by the levels of institutional trust, corruption and democracy.

Institutional Quality, Corruption, and Income Inequality - A Panel Study of Selected SAARC Economies

Previous studies have primarily focused on issues related to income inequality, aiming to identify the underlying causes and urging swift action to mitigate such disparities. In this context, the current article expands upon existing literature by introducing the influence of corruption and institutional quality. This study contributes to the existing knowledge by investigating the interplay between institutional quality, corruption, and income inequality within SAARC countries spanning 2000 to 2021, sourced from World Governance Indicators, Transparency International, Global Consumption and Income Project, and World Development Indicators. After analysed the properties of data, FMOLS analytical approach employed. The empirical analysis validates the enduring effects of the examined factors on income inequality over the long term. The findings indicate that institutional quality exerts a notable and favorable influence in reducing income inequality. Conversely, corruption, the combined impact of corruption and institutional quality substantially and adversely affect income inequality. Addressing the imperative of ensuring an equitable income distribution across the SAARC economies necessitates implementing comprehensive strategies to foster enduring institutional quality and effectively manage corruption. Study’s conceptual and empirical advancements carry significant implications for policy formulation within this region. They offer valuable insights for the region’s endeavors to ameliorate income inequality. This study underscores the importance of measures to enhance institutional quality and combat corruption within SAARC countries. Such measures should be strategically designed to tackle income distribution challenges and promote greater equity.

Judicial Inconsistency and Citizen Anti-Corruption Demobilization: Evidence from Brazil

Abstract This study examines the impact of judicial inconsistency in high-profile corruption cases on citizens' willingness to combat corruption. Based on evidence from an unexpected event during a survey in Brazil, the study demonstrates that contradictory decisions by different judges within a single day erode trust in courts and citizens' inclination to report corruption. Notably, perceptions of corruption and trust in other institutions remain unaffected. The findings support the argument that citizens can be discouraged from engaging in anti-corruption efforts not only by exposure to information about corruption but also by forming negative evaluations of anti-corruption performance. Building on previous research and the perspective of corruption as a collective-action problem, the article proposes that judicial inconsistency is perceived as a sign of insincere commitment to fighting corruption. These findings contribute to understanding the public opinion consequences of anti-corruption initiatives and the politicization of courts.

On the determinants of anti-COVID restriction and anti-vaccine movements: the case of IoApro in Italy

Following restrictions to control the spread of COVID-19, and subsequent vaccination campaigns, sentiments against such policies were quick to arise. While individual-level determinants that led to such attitudes have drawn much attention, there are also reasons to believe that the macro context in which these movements arose may contribute to their evolution. In this study, exploiting data on business activities which supported a major Italian anti-restriction and anti-vaccine movement, IoApro, using quantitative analysis that employs both a fractional response probit and logit model and a beta regression model, we investigate the relationship between socio-economic characteristics, institutional quality, and the flourishing of this movement. Our results suggest a U-shaped relationship between income and the proliferation of the movement, meaning that support for these movements increases the greater the degree of economic decline. Our results further indicate that the share of the population between 40 and 60 years old is positively related to support for such movements, as is institutional corruption.

Institutional Corruption

While corruption has long been recognized as a major social problem, only relatively recently has the importance of a specific institutional form of corruption been noted. However, despite the fact that institutional corruption has come to be seen as very important, it remains a challenge to specify exactly what makes something a case of institutional corruption. To overcome this challenge, this paper argues that institutional corruption is the result of an individual or collective agent acting in ways that prevent a social institution from partially or fully fulfilling its function. In turn, the function of a social institution is spelled out in line with what is shown to be the most compelling account of social functionalism in the literature: Presentist Social Functionalism. Presentist Social Functionalism sees the function of a social institution as those of its features that increase its expected reproductive or survival success in the current socio-cultural environment. This theory of institutional corruption is shown to have a number of highly desirable features: it is general, fully spelled out, situated in a wider functionalist approach towards the social sciences, and does justice to the complexity of institutional corruption.

Infrastructural development and development administration: A retrospective

Background: No nation can achieve any meaningful development without adequate infrastructure. National development in Nigeria is predicated on adequate modern infrastructure. But, the situation in Nigeria seemed to be that of an infrastructure deficit.Aim: The study examined the state of infrastructure in Nigeria and the efforts put in place to meet the infrastructure deficit in the country.Method: The study was a descriptive qualitative research and secondary data was used. The data was analysed using content analysis. The study covers the entire country, Nigeria.Result: The study showed that the various infrastructures in Nigeria are in a deplorable state and efforts at building modern infrastructure are still very insignificant. The major reasons for the deplorable state of infrastructure in Nigeria can be attributed to inadequate funds, a high rate of corruption in the public domain among others.Conclusion: The study suggested a rigorous revenue-generating strategy by the government to fill the deficit gap, reduce corruption in the public institutions in Nigeria, among others.Contribution: The paper no doubt revealed the ineptitude of the Nigerian leaders to understand the vital role of infrastructure in National development. Leaders with foresight will embark on infrastructure development, not only to enhance economic growth but to attract foreign investors. Unfortunately, the findings of the study showed that the Nigerian government has failed and lacked the political will to develop the relevant infrastructure required for economic development and enhancing the overall welfare of the citizens.

The Rule of Law and Criminality in the Republic of Kosovo

The principle of the state of law is undoubtedly one of the most important and essential principles for any state and democratic society. Its fullest realisation in everyday life is the best guarantee for the development of democracy as well as recognition and enforcement of citizensʼ fundamental rights and freedoms. To this end, the general principles of the rule of law today occupy a special place and are fixed explicitly in contemporary constitutions and democratic legislation. However, it should be borne in mind that the existence of the constitutional and legal framework is only a necessary premise for the rule of law. Equally important is the functioning of various control mechanisms for the implementation of constitutional and legal norms, and especially, the creation of a new mentality among both public officials and citizens expressed in the awareness to the needs for the implementation of these norms and in the reaction with legal and democratic means against their violation by anyone. The Balkan Peninsula represents great strategic importance, not only for the surrounding states but also for the criminal groups that interact in this region. Many Balkan states have been through and currently are in deep democratic transition and it is difficult to break away from their historical past. Although many law enforcement agencies in this region stand out for their professionalism, the impact of consecutive wars presents decisive factors for the triumph or failure of law enforcement institutions against various crimes in this European area. The last war was waged in Kosovo, which ceased in June 1999, has a significant importance in the increase of criminality in Kosovo. After 1999, due to poorly controlled borders, lack of legislation, creation of a new police, and the establishment of the justice system, many criminal groups from the field of narco-criminality took advantage of this situation by creating organized criminal networks for the purpose of trafficking narcotic substances and psychotropic substances from the country of origin, transiting through Kosovo, and continuing towards the country of destination which was in Western Europe. The current internal processes that Kosovo is facing are economic and social development, which are still far from regional and European development structures, which as a result of poverty and lack of perspective, for a significant part of Kosovan society, are resulting with a high crime rate. The geostrategic position of the Republic of Kosovo in the Balkans, as well as the created post-war conditions, enables various criminal groups to carry out organised crime activities. High levels of unemployment and poverty, high levels of corruption in state institutions, and lack of free movement outside Kosovo contribute to creating appropriate conditions for the development of criminality in general and organised crime in particular. In support of various analyses conducted during the research, is the author has noticed that the Republic of Kosovo, compared to EU countries, has a lower level of criminality, while compared to countries in the region where the criminality level is higher.

Automatic learning model to predict transparency indicators for effective management of public resources

Introduction: This article is the product of the application of predictive analytical models to measures and indicators of corruption risk, as researched by the Pascual Bravo University Institution and the Francisco José de Caldas District University in 2022 for doctoral research on the risk model for state transparency. Problem: From measurements of institutional capacities, it is possible to generate anticorruption measurements, such is the case of the National AntiCorruption Index (INAC for its Spanish acronym). However, there are improvements to be made in the indicators and the need to incorporate more and better measurements that support this scourge that has long been manifested in Colombia. Objective: The objective of this research is to emphasize the need to take advantage of open data, to generate measurements of state institutional corruption and, therefore, metrics that support its transparency and integrity based on predictive analytical models to generate predictions about government indices. Methodology: First, the importance of generating measurements for the management of corruption cases is pointed out. Then, the application of predictive analytical models to predict scores of the National AntiCorruption Index is evidenced, finding the best model to finally make a forecast based on the identification of the relevant variables. Results: The implementation of higher levels of digital government (egovernment) can significantly contribute to the fight against corruption and the generation of better public policies that support controls and sanctions. It not only facilitates citizen access to state services, but also allows for more open and agile access to data. This constantly promotes transparency at all levels and at all times. The Huber regression that has been implemented, its smaller penalty function, and its linear rather than quadratic growth, make it more suitable for dealing with outliers. This improves the error meter estimates and provides a good estimate of the National AntiCorruption Index score. Conclusion: It is essential to establish a framework that anticipates the behavior of INAC and directs public policy efforts towards transparency and the prevention of corruption. In addition, it is necessary to develop objective metrics, indicators, indices and risk models that promote and evaluate transparency in the fight against corruption. This implies generating early warnings, applying sanctions, implementing controls and designing improvement plans to promote recommendations based on data that can trigger actions and take advantage of free access to public information to support citizens and the country. Originality: A predictive analytical model based on machine learning was trained to predict the future behavior of the National AntiCorruption Index, with the aim of supporting roadmaps for entities and creating improvement actions for national entities, in which it becomes necessary to explore open government data to create new indicators and improve current ones. Limitations: The regression models on the historical data of free access for the INACs were selected, because in terms of measurement it is what is already consolidated and available for the generation of transparency policies, access to information and the fight against corruption. The challenge for future work is to have more historical data, and to create more indicators that support measurements with the creation of improvement actions per entity that is reflected in numerical measurements.

Implementasi Akuntabilitas dan Transparansi Pada Pelayanan Publik di Kelurahan Pondok Kelapa Jakarta Timur Tahun 2020

Good governance practices require transparency in the overall process of governance. Government that is effective, transparent and accountable to its citizens is a top priority for the Government of Indonesia. With various other accountability and supervisory institutions, including the media, to maintain and deepen reform efforts and create anti- corruption institutions that are more transparent, high-performance and responsive to the needs of citizens. This research uses qualitative research methods with interview data collection techniques, observation and documentation. The results of this study indicate that the Pondok Kelapa Village Office has carried out its responsibilities according to Pergub number 152 of 2019 then for transparency it has been stipulated in the SKPD.

Политический анализ проблемы соотношения феноменов рыночной и институциональной коррупции в современном обществе

The article explores the possibility that the subjects of managerial decision-making have an objective need for the institutionalization of corruption. The authors consider the issues of integrating institutional corruption into the managerial and political-legal subsystems, which leads to multiple functional distortions in the system of state institutions in the interests of latent structures. The purpose of the article is a comparative analysis of the two main types of corruption in modern society. The authors use a neo-institutional methodological approach characterized by the principle of methodological individualism and a number of scientific methods. Although market corruption exerts a certain financial burden on business, it does not violate the principles of market competition. Institutional corruption may hypothetically not impose additional financial burden on business, but it introduces significant restrictions on the competitive environment itself. Progress in the fight against corruption is possible only if civil society interacts with state authorities and institutions, and the values of civic activism are actualized in the socio-political participation of citizens.

PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION CRIMES THROUGH THE CORRUPTION-FREE AREA INTEGRITY ZONE PROGRAM AT STATE OFFICES AND INSTITUTIONS

Written between The increase in corruption cases that occurred in Indonesia released by Transparency International Indonesia (TII) increased the achievement of scores on the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). Although the increase is not significant, corruption is an extraordinary crime. The commitment to realizing corruption prevention are through an Integrity Zone (ZI) development in an integrated and planned corruption-free area. This study aims to analyze the prevention of criminal acts of corruption through the ZI corruption-free area program in state offices and institutions. 1. How is the implementation of corruption-free area integrity zones in state offices and institutions in preventing corruption in Indonesia? 2. What are the obstacles to the implementation of the corruption-free area integrity zone program in preventing corruption in state offices and institutions? This study uses normative research methods. The results of the study can be concluded that in the implementation of integrity zones towards corruption-free areas two types of components must be built in predetermined work units, namely lever components and outcome components where each component is interconnected and component development indicators through ZI Design, Development ZI, Proposal, Review, Determination. Corrupt actions will not just disappear without awareness of the moral behavior itself within the authority, power, and position it holds as an integrity pact. Integrity pact as a commitment must be carried out consistently and the need for maximum socialization is known to the general public so that the community can participate in implementing the ZI development program and not only limited to disseminating related information only to designated agencies/units.

Institutional Quality, Tertiary Education and Corruption; A Panel Study of Selected Lower Middle-Income Economies

Institutional Quality, Tertiary Education and Corruption; A Panel Study of Selected Lower Middle-Income Economies

Effects of Administrative Corruption on Democratic Governance In Nigeria

Administrative corruption has become a major issue sabotaging governance and democratic development in Third World Countries. It is a menace that respects no national boundaries. It distorts socio-political life of the people. In Nigeria, administrative corruption has eroded people’s trust in government because of the persistent increase in inefficiency and ineffective public service delivery. As revealed in the literature, administrative corruption in Nigerian public institutions has made a lot of the nation’s resources mismanaged by the public office holders despite many policy measures put in place to curtail the menace. Sequel to this phenomenon, this paper examined the effect of administrative corruption on democratic governance in Nigeria. Relying on the ex-post approach where literature was surveyed to explain the extent to which administrative corruption impedes the growth of democratic governance in the country. The paper recommends strengthening of the internal control mechanisms to detect cases of administrative corruption in public institutions. It also suggests the creation of pathways to give citizens the relevant tools to engage and participate in governance towards promoting transparency and accountability in the administration of the state.

Interaction of inflation and corruption in developing markets in the context of technological changes

Corruption being a multi-layer phenomenon has its direct and indirect effects on the economic life in different spheres. Taking into account this circumstance, we made an attempt to reveal the existing connections and dependence between corruption and inflation. Data of 161 countries were included in the carried-out analysis on inflation, corruption perceptions index (CPI), control of corruption index (COC), as well as Freedom of Corruption Index (FFC), whereas the countries have been divided into four large groups according to per capita GDP. Modern tendencies of the given groups of countries having strong foundations of institutional control or corruption «restraints» have been studied in this context. The correlation analysis has been carried out to study the dependence of corruption and inflation according to income groups. Research of previous experiences and results of the carried out analysis indicate that implementation of the efficient policy aimed at control of manifestations of corruption presumes some high level of institutional development in countries. Results of the correlation analysis prove the inverse relationship between corruption and inflation as well as its weaknesses for all income groups in countries.

The impact of institutional corruption on the investment climate in Iraq within the period (2004-2020)

The impact of institutional corruption on the investment climate in Iraq within the period (2004-2020)

Institutions and integration (im)maturity: The case of Bosnia and Herzegovina

AbstractIn this paper, we analyze the integration maturity of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) on its path towards EU membership and the role of institutions in the process. Integration maturity focuses on five main parameters for readiness to make integration successful: macroeconomic stability, functioning market economy, competitiveness, access to foreign finance and convergence. We combine a discussion of BiH's readiness on these parameters with insights from institutional economics, and show how inefficient institutions are major obstacles to BiH achieving sustained economic growth and attaining the necessary integration maturity. The main reasons for the institutional deficiencies relate to BiH being an ethnically divided country, but just as much it reflects corruption and elite capture of institutions. Only by thoroughly rethinking and reforming its institutional framework will Bosnia and Herzegovina be able to move forward.

Factor analysis of causes of corruption risks in the educational and scientific sphere of Ukraine

In recent years, the attention of the world scientific community has been drawn to the search and solution of problems related to overcoming corruption phenomena in all spheres of public life. Corruption as a socio-economic, ethical, moral phenomenon and philosophical-legal construct is studied at the interdisciplinary level, because its origins are primarily in the motivated behavior of an active and integral participant and founder of public and state institutions – a person. Our research deals with the study of the sources of corruption risks in the educational-scientific process at the institutional level of the education and science system of Ukraine: school, institute, university. We conducted a social survey to establish personal attitudes to corruption actions by officials and participants of the educational process, awareness of key concepts and principles of academic integrity, providing a subjective assessment on the effectiveness of functioning at the level of the respondent’s institution of the internal anti-corruption system. Particular attention was paid to establishing the content of the subjective-evaluative opinion of the respondents on the causes and existence of corruption in educational institutions of Ukraine. The aggregation of individual factors, which are segmented by certain areas of professional and life activity of the respondents: financial-economic, professional-career, socio-political, educational-preventive was carried out through the use of factor analysis. This allowed to reduce the dimension of the initial space of the studied causes and symptoms and combine them according to the evaluative judgments of the respondents into certain leading factors that characterize the common source of arising corruption risks in the educational-scientific process at the institutional level of the system of education and science of Ukraine.

Prospects and challenges of achieving sustainable urban green-spaces: A case study of urban greening in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh

Urban green spaces and urban forest covers are a significant component of urban planning which is critically ignored in Bangladesh. This study aims to identify the prospects and challenges of achieving sustainable urban green spaces in Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Bangladesh which is a significant indicator of the sustainable development goal (SDG11). We have analyzed the historical land use and land cover change (LULC) from 1992, 2002, 2012, and 2022 using Landsat 4–5 Thematic Mapper (TM), Landsat 7 Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus (ETM+), and Landsat 8 Operational Land Imager (OLI) images by ArcGIS 10.8 and Google Earth-pro software. The use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) primarily indicates vegetation greenness as well as determining other land uses such as waterbody, settlements and barren land. The calculated kappa values varied from 80% to 86.7% for all the years and fit the current research. A strength-weakness-opportunity-threat (SWOT) analysis reviewed and analyzed existing sectoral policy and plans to identify challenges to achieve sustainable urban forestry. Fifteen key informant interviews (KII) from Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), Department of Environment (DOE), Bangladesh Forest Department (BFD), and Department of Social Forestry Department (DSF) wing under BFD were taken to identify the status of urban forestry, its problems, opportunities, and threats. The responses were drawn using a Driver-Pressure-State-Impact-Response (DPSIR) framework. Of the total measurements of 194.2sq km (2022), normal vegetation cover has decreased significantly from 1992 to 2022 by approximately 65.9%, while urban areas increased by almost 95% simultaneously. From 1992 to 2022, areas of water bodies decreased by more than 32.4%. The vegetation coverage in DNCC is only 16.17%, inferior in meeting sustainable urban greening to fulfil the criteria of sustainable cities and communities. From the KII, it is found that despite some relevant forestry policy and plans, limited lands, institutional corruption, and weak governance are the major institutional drawbacks. In the DNCC, unplanned and rapid megacity expansion, roads and utility service expansion weak institutional policy, plan, and program implementation for urban green space protection are some of the driving forces of green cover loss. Introducing strategic environmental assessment of urban forestry policy, plans, and programs, removing inter-institutional conflicts, strategic sectoral plans, and programs for increased green spaces through the bioeconomy concept is required. In addition, increased participation from urban stakeholders is some of the significant responses identified for strategic urban green space and forest cover improvement in DNCC.

Institutional Failure: Policing in Permacrisis

Recent scandals have once again highlighted ongoing failings in the Metropolitan Police force, for which yet more urgent reforms have been proposed. While police denialism of institutional racism continues to be a problem, the institutional failure that creates the recurring cycles of crisis goes beyond the Met. It is also rooted in a stunted mediascape, and, more seriously, a failing political culture that is addicted to the sugar rush of immediate political news, and mired in an authoritarian and zombie politics of law and order that seeks to manage dissent through producing first shock and then amnesia. This institutional permacrisis underlines the failures of all three institutions to recognise and address institutional racism. It is symptomatic of a failure to go beyond the facile assumption - in the face of decades of evidence to the contrary-that deeply embedded structural problems can be solved through the fix of culture-change programmes or the appointment of a heroic new leader. Recent reports have also found the Met to be marked by institutional misogyny and institutional corruption. This extension of the idea of systemic failure seems unlikely to prompt the kind of systemic and structural change that is needed.

How Disciplinary Processes in the Public Service (Legally) Violate Individual Rights: A Case Study from Brazil

The article presents a case study on the law that regulates disciplinary processes in the Brazilian Federal Public Service (Act 8,112/1990). The aim of this investigation is to examine the features of the law that may lead to unfairness in disciplinary processes. Two theoretical concepts guide the investigation: “institutional corruption” and “administrative evil.” Institutional corruption refers to rules, arrangements, and procedures that, despite their legality and ethical intent, exert a systemic and strategic influence that impairs organizational performance and effectiveness. Administrative evil alludes to the phenomenon in which public officials cause harm to innocent people while explaining away their responsibility, usually by projecting negative emotions to an external “object” (i.e., another person). Through a comparison between disciplinary processes and criminal cases, the analysis makes evident that Act. 8,112/1990 deviates from its original purpose of promoting ethical behaviour in the public service because it fails to provide individual protections to defendants. Thus, disciplinary processes in the Brazilian Federal Government can be seen as a case of institutional corruption that opens opportunities for administrative evil. The article presents measures to prevent disciplinary processes from becoming conveyors of institutional corruption and administrative evil and suggest a theme for further research.