Technology as perceived benefit or burden in the fight against corruption at international SMEs? The role of trust and reduced human interaction

• Autores: Emily Luisa Bauer, Stefan Schembera
• Localización: Piccola impresa: = Small Business, ISSN 0394-7947, Nº. 2, 2020
• Idioma: inglés
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• Resumen

  • In light of the disclosed organisational corruption scandals over the last decades, firms increasingly adopt information and communication technologies (ICTs) to fight corruption. Internationally operating small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seem particularly likely to benefit from the use of anti-corruption-related ICTs: Not only do SMEs lack knowledge on the business practices in geographically and institutionally distant markets, but they also often lack the resources and bargaining-power to reject a corrupt offer. Building on interview and documentary data, the aim of this case study is hence to explore when, how and why SMEs may experience ICTs as a chance or a challenge in the fight against corruption in foreign business. We find that trust and the lack of human interaction are central factors linking ICTs and anti-corruption at SMEs, yet involved actors currently derive at partly contradictory conclusions as to the particular role of these factors.