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Does Competition Lead Firms to Bribery? A Firm-Level Study in Southeast Asia

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  • Ruohan Wu

    (Alabama State University)

Abstract

Economists have paid close attention to economic development in Southeast Asia, where corruption and bribery are believed to be ubiquitous. In this article, we study the reasons why firms bribe. Specifically, we study the effects of the competition encountered by Southeast Asian firms on their bribing behavior. This article focuses on two types of bribing behavior: (1) informal payments given to the government so that it will ignore rule violations and (2) informal payments to the government to secure a contract. Using firm-level and country-level data from Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam between 2009 and 2014, we find that the market competition will increase bribing behavior, while political competition within the country will reduce the likelihood of bribing.

Suggested Citation

  • Ruohan Wu, 2018. "Does Competition Lead Firms to Bribery? A Firm-Level Study in Southeast Asia," Atlantic Economic Journal, Springer;International Atlantic Economic Society, vol. 46(1), pages 91-100, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:atlecj:v:46:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s11293-017-9566-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s11293-017-9566-2
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    Cited by:

    1. Nam Hoang Vu & Tram-Anh Nguyen & Tram Bao Hoang & Nguyen Viet Cuong, 2024. "Formal Firms with Bribery in a Dynamic Business Environment," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 191(3), pages 571-589, May.
    2. Malesky, Edmund J. & Nguyen, Thang V. & Bach, Thang N. & Ho, Bao D., 2020. "The effect of market competition on bribery in emerging economies: An empirical analysis of Vietnamese firms," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    3. Changwatchai, Piyaphan & Dheera-aumpon, Siwapong, 2023. "Culture and bribe giving: Evidence from firm-level data," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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