Linking cultural dimensions with the nature of corruption

In this paper, we argue that extant literature offers somewhat simplistic explanations of the antecedents of corruption. Drawing from institutional theory and the recent fine-grained formulations on the nature of corruption, we offer testable hypotheses that link Hofstede’s (1980) dimensions of national culture with the pervasiveness and arbitrariness of corruption prevalent in the institutions of a nation. Thereafter we discuss the implications for practice and theory. We point out that our theoretical framework makes a conceptual link between macro- and micro-level variables – this is a link that has hitherto eluded scholars in the area.