E-Government and Anti-Corruption: Empirical Analysis of International Data

Abstract

Case studies demonstrate that e-government is an effective tool to reduce corruption by promoting good governance and strengthening reform-oriented actors. Specifically, e-government can reduce corrupt behaviors externally by enhancing relationships with citizens and internally by more effectively controlling and monitoring employees' behaviors. This study examines the impact of e-government on corruption using national level data. The impacts of other traditional factors—bureaucratic professionalism, bureaucratic quality, and law enforcement—proposed by the public administration literature are also examined. Statistical analysis reveals that e-government has a consistently positive impact on reducing corruption, as do the traditional anti-corruption factors.

Keywords:

• corruption
• e-government
• e-participation
• international data
• transparency

The authors gratefully appreciate the insightful comments on the earlier version of this article. Any errors remain ours.

Notes

5. Ibid.

9. Im, B. Y. Strengthening Government Citizen Connections: A Case Study of Korea, Special Session, Anti-Corruption Symposium 2001: The Role of On-Line Procedures in Promoting Good Governance, Seoul, South Korea, 2001.

10. Kang, H. B. Cleaning Up the City Government of Seoul : Systematic Approach, Session 2, Anti-Corruption Symposium 2001: The Role of On-line Procedures in Promoting Good Governance, Seoul, Korea, 2001.

12. Ibid.

16. Weber, M. (2004). Bureaucracy. In Classics of public administration, 5th ed., Shafritz, J., Hyde, A., & Parkes, S., eds. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, pp. 50–55.

19. Ibid., p. 468.

20. Ibid.

21. Merton, R. (2004). Bureaucratic structure and personality. . In Classics of public Administration, 5th ed.; Shafritz, J., Hyde, A., & Parkes, S., eds. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, pp. 109–117.

24. Bhatnagar, op. cit.

26. Ibid.

30. Ho, op. cit.

31. Von Haldenwang, op. cit.

32. Park, H. H., Shim, D. C., and Yamaguchi, J. (2003). E-Government and transparency: The cases of Japan and Korea. Unpublished Manuscript.

36. Bhatnagar, op. cit.

47. Wilhelm, op. cit.

48. Husted, op. cit.

49. Dreher et al., op. cit.

50. Mocan, op. cit.

51. Husted, op. cit.

52. Park, op. cit.