Effects of ICT Applications on Reducing Corruption in the Selected Asian Countries

According to the recent studies, corruption in a society, emanating from the existence of asymmetrical and monopolistic information, is seen as one of the most systematicimpediments to economic development. Based on a hypothesis tested in the developed countries, ICT applications, through information dissemination and establishment of egovernments,leads to more transparency and less corruption, though there have beendoubts about its effectiveness in reducing corruption in the developing countries. In thepresent study, the validity of this hypothesis is tested using dynamic panel data method inthe Asian developing countries during 2000-2010. The results confirm the links between ICT applications and corruption reduction in the countries of the study. Yet, the results obtained indicate that this relationship is stronger than what previous studies suggested. Also, the study results show the resilient nature of corruption in the selected countries.

Keywords:

ICT applications , Corruption , Dynamic Panel Data , Asian Countries