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Anti-corruption programmes in post-communist transition countries and changes in the business environment, 1999-2002
This paper analyses the anti-corruption activities of 24 transition countries
in the period 1999-2002. These activities are divided into omnibus
anti-corruption programmes, legislative reform aimed at tackling corruption,
and adherence to international anti-corruption conventions. The paper presents
a new measure for determining the extent of anti-corruption activity
undertaken in these three categories during 1999-2002. Using the results of a
large survey of firms across the region, the paper shows that countries with
low levels of administrative corruption were more likely to adopt intensive
anti-corruption programmes than countries with high levels of administrative
corruption, independent of the level of state capture Across the transition
countries, omnibus anti-corruption programmes and membership in international
anti-corruption conventions have not led to reductions in the level of either
administrative corruption or state capture – at least in this relatively short
time period – while new or amended laws aimed at tackling corruption have led
to reductions in administrative corruption, but not in levels of state
capture. Finally, the paper finds that perceptions of corruption – measured in
terms of the degree to which firms consider corruption to be an obstacle to
the operation and growth of their business – are positively correlated with
the intensity of anti-corruption programmes. This finding suggests that by
launching high-profile anti-corruption initiatives, governments may be more
likely to heighten managers’ perceptions of the problem rather than to reduce
the impact of corruption on firms.
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