Thick concept but thin theories: a case for sector-based anti-corruption strategy

ABSTRACT

The anti-corruption industry has grown phenomenally in the last three decades with the proliferation of anti-corruption agencies in developing countries. However, there are limited success stories because corruption remains pervasive despite the establishment of these specialised agencies. This article thematically discuss the mismatch between corruption theories and anti-corruption strategies within an African context. We argue that the failing of anti-corruption efforts is rooted in a theoretical insufficiency which does not provide strong enough intellectual resources to battle corruption. Using qualitative thematic analysis techniques, we carried out an extensive review of anticorruption strategies across selected African countries and also dissected sectoral case studies across 12 sectors. Building on this, the article argues that sectorally demarcated anti-corruption strategies would be a better target for anti-corruption. We argue that sector-based anti-corruption strategies would provide a better reflection of corruption realities and help to reduce the conceptual ambiguities around corruption by bridging its theories and reality gap.

KEYWORDS:

• Anti-corruption
• principal‒agent theory
• collective action theory
• anti-corruption agencies
• public sector management

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

David Olusegun Sotola

David Olusegun Sotola has affiliation with the School of Public Leadership Graduate School of Economic & Management (GEM) at Stellenbosch University South Africa

Pregala Solosh Pillay

Pregala Solosh Pillay is a professor with the School of Public Leadership at Stellenbosch University South Africa