Does e-government control corruption? Evidence from South Asian countries

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to examine the relationship between e-government and corruption in selected South Asian countries (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka). Design/methodology/approach The sample data were gathered from reliable secondary sources over a sample period of 2003–2018. Additionally, this study incorporated other potential determinants or corruption, such as government effectiveness, press freedom, education and economy. To assess sample data, this study used panel data econometric procedures. Findings Results indicated that e-government had a positive and significant impact on corruption. Similarly, government effectiveness and education had a positive and significant influence on corruption. However, press freedom and the economy showed a negative and insignificant impact on corruption. This study further found the robustness of the results through sensitivity analysis. Overall, it was concluded that e-government plays a significant role to reduce corruption. Originality/value The governments should implement the e-governance system and provide a transparent and accountable environment to eliminate corruption.

Impacts of digitalization on energy security: evidence from European countries

“…In short, digitalization is beneficial for sustainable economic development. Given that digitalization helps enhance human capital (Spiezia, 2011 ), develop innovation systems (Ceccobelli et al, 2012 ; Ferro, 2011 ; Haini, 2019 ), foster global trade (Ahmedov, 2020 ; Salahuddin & Alam, 2016 ; Salahuddin & Gow, 2016 ), and improve institutional quality (Adam, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2022 ), our findings are also in line with several previous studies that find the positive impacts of labor input, innovation, governance indicators, global competitiveness factors, and enabling environment on the bioenergy industry growth (Abdulwakil et al, 2020 ; Alsaleh & Abdul-Rahim, 2018 ; Alsaleh et al, 2017 , 2020a , 2020b ).…”

“…Regarding the sustainability of energy security, our study highlights the importance of digital connectivity, digital skills, and digital public services in encouraging countries to rely more on renewable energy sources. While the digital connectivity and digital skills contribute to the human capital (Ferro, 2011 ; Haini, 2019 ) and facilitate more trade flows (Ahmedov, 2020 ; OECD, 2019 ; Shyla, 2020 ), digital public services help improve institutional quality and control corruption (Adam, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2022 ). This would foster economic growth, increase national income, and raise environmental awareness among the public (Galeotti et al, 2008 ; Lee & Lee, 2009 ; Martínez-Zarzoso & Maruotti, 2011 ).…”

“…The reasons for our selection are as follows. While the development of e-commerce and e-business enhances human capital and fosters financial and trade flows (Ahmedov, 2020 ; OECD, 2019 ; Shyla, 2020 ), the adoption of digital public services helps improve institutional quality (Adam, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2022 ). This, in turn, will drive economic growth (Farhadi et al, 2012 ; Solomon & van Klyton, 2020 ).…”

“…First, digitalization, especially the evolution of e-commerce and e-business, fosters both national and international trade by reducing transaction costs and blurring the boundaries in terms of time, space, and between trade in goods and trade in services (Ahmedov, 2020 ; OECD, 2019 ; Shyla, 2020 ). On the other hand, the adoption of the e-government model helps improve institutional quality by reducing corruption and enhancing the effectiveness of governance (Adam, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2022 ). The contribution of digitalization to human capital, structural upgrading, trade, and institutional quality would spur economic growth and enhance national income.…”

“…Digitalization, in the forms of either digital connectivity, digital business, digital government, or digital skills, could foster the development and penetration of bioenergy products in various ways. Specifically, such a relationship could be explained by its impacts on enhancing human capital (Spiezia, 2011 ), facilitating innovation activities and R&D spillover effects (Ceccobelli et al, 2012 ; Ferro, 2011 ; Haini, 2019 ), matching investors and traders across borders (Ahmedov, 2020 ; Salahuddin & Alam, 2016 ; Salahuddin & Gow, 2016 ), and improving institutional quality (Adam, 2020 ; Ali et al, 2022 ). Not only fostering the bioenergy industry, but digitalization would also create the transformation of business models where more environmentally related technologies are applied.…”